The Orange Legionnaire

12/19/2010: (Rumor) Dutch Lions Making Inroads Into MLS? First Ent, Now Schwartz and Silooy?

2010-12-19T00:52:00.001-08:00

That's according to MLS-Rumors, as they first stated on Friday that Toronto F.C. was not only interested in Ent but the Dutch Lions whole right side from the 2010 season; both Ent and overlapping Dutch Lions right back Evan Schwartz.

According to Rumors:

Our source adds that both players were scouted this past july at a game in Toronto, by Nick Dasovic, interim head coach of Toronto FC.

This is quite possible as Nick Dasovic, in a lesser assistant or technical director position before becoming interim head coach at TFC, did scout Bas Ent in a July game in Toronto against PDL foe the Toronto Lynx. Schwartz did play in that game as well.

Dasovic may have found Schwartz interesting as well, and Toronto F.C. may have decided to bring the American right back to TFC to try to ease the transition for Ent; As Ent and Schwartz did work well together in 2010.

Also right back has been a position in flux for Toronto F.C.

I guess we will see as there's meat to about 1 in 4 stories on MLS-Rumors on a good day. I'll keep checking online in different places, once you see something coming from two or three different places it usually has some meat to it.

MLS-Rumors also stated today that former Dutch Lions Head Coach Sonny Silooy might have job offers from both the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United:

According to my colleague’s sources, long-time Ajax defender and head coach of Dayton Dutch Lions FC, Sonny Silooy, was being courted by the Philadelphia Union for the position of reserve team coach and technical director of the youth academy, but it now looks like DC United is interested in using him in this same role.

MLS-Rumors stated "according to my colleague's sources" for both stories which is about as vague as it gets, nearly saying "some guy I know, know's a guy who said..." When it came to the Ent rumor it was reported various places online, starting with the Dutch league that Ent plays for, which makes it very credible. But, who knows there may be some truth to both of these.

I'll keep scanning online to see if anything more concrete comes up in the next week or so. It would be good news for DDL F.C. as having three guys associated with the club making the jump up to MLS, would land the club a great deal of credibility to go along with Ent's reported signing with TFC.

12/16/2010: New Partnerships For The Dutch Lions (Baton Rouge, Possibly TFC), Dutch Lions Possibly After PDL Defender Of The Year, & Bas Ent Update

2010-12-16T16:10:00.000-08:00

The Dayton Dutch Lions already have one sister club in Dutch champions F.C. Twente. The Dutch Lions might be going for the partnership treble this offseason...

Yesterday the Dutch Lions announced a partnership with a very successful PDL club- the Baton Rouge Capitals. The Baton Rouge Capitals were founded in 2007, and have a strong English influence- with nearly all of their international spots taken up by English players similiar to how the Dutch Lions keep most of their international spots open for Dutch players. The Baton Rouge Capitals also finished as 3rd place finalists in the PDL National Championship in 2010. Therefore, the Dutch Lions won't only be partnered with the best Dutch team in Twente; but also one of the best PDL clubs in Baton Rouge.

There is quite a bit beneficial by this sort of partnership. As the Dutch Lions will have access to the best players of one of the strongest PDL clubs (as after college graduation these players are no longer eligible for a PDL non-PRO team like Baton Rouge). Whereas, Baton Rouge can gain connections to Dutch internationals who are not quite good enough yet for the USL-Pro level but great for the PDL.

The Dutch Lions-Baton Rouge partnership overall includes, but is not limited to, the following:

- An agreement for both teams to meet in an exhibition game annually between May and July

- Access for Dutch Lions officials to Capitals' players and give Capitals' players the chance to play professionally in either the US or Europe or with the Dutch Lions

- An exchange of knowledge

- Access for Capitals' coaching staff to recruit players from the Netherlands

The partnership may have come out of the Dutch Lions interest in one of the Baton Rouge's key players; as Dutch Lions owner Mike Mossel said in his discussion on the partnership:

"They have access to a very talented area and we like to do more than just share ideas like we have been doing so far. One of the first things we will do is schedule an exhibition game in Dayton in 2011. We are also about to sign one of their most talented players in the coming weeks.”

No definite name yet on who that player will be, but Baton Rouge's strongest talent is Joe Tait(picture below); as the English defender Tait was selected as the PDL Defender of the Year in 2010 for Baton Rouge and would be a nice selection for the Dutch Lions who struggled in the back in 2010.

The PDL Defender of The Year, Tait, has offensive header prowress as well scoring a hat trick in a game vs. Atlanta this season. Could this be the talent the Dutch Lions are after?

However, Tait (or one of his English compatriots) would go against the Dutch Lions form of only picking up Dutch internationals. Yet, Tait might possibly have an American green card from four years in the United States.. And Englishmen have always been better defenders than the attacking Dutch. :-) So, who knows.

Others of interest include English midfielder Ben Callon who was selected to the Southern Conference PDL team and led Baton Rouge in productivity with 9 goals and 5 assists. Or American keeper Joe Hart (good keeper name if your a Manchester City fan) who made two penalty saves to lead Baton Rouge to 3rd place in the PDL Championships in 2010.

Could the Dutch Lions be interested in Joe Hart? No not the above Joe Hart, the American one from Baton Rouge that lead his team to the PDL finals?

Either way, the partnership probably came out of the Dutch Lions courting of Baton Rouge player to be named later; Just as a possible partnership with Toronto F.C. could come out of TFC's courting of Dutch Lions 2010 standout Bas Ent.

As Dutch Lions President Mike Mossel has stated that the Dutch Lions need to receive something from TFC to let one of their most talented players, Bas Ent, go from his three year contract.

“He is not eligible until we let him go,” says Mike Mossel, co-owner of Dayton Dutch Lions FC, the USL Premier Development League team that Ent played on last season.

“The question is what does Toronto want to pay for him and how much do we want for him?”

Ent currently has a three-year contract with the Lions but Mossel doesn’t anticipate that an agreement will be tough to reach. He says that rather than accepting compensation, there is a possibility of DDL FC and TFC forming some type of partnership.

“I don’t want to be in the way of Bas,” says Mossel. “This is a great step for him and for our club of course, a guy going to MLS after one year.”

So, if Toronto F.C. doesn't want to pay for Bas (which MLS clubs are famous for doing- not paying transfer fees and saying forget it for a player if there is a transfer fee). Then possibly the price for Bas is a sharing of information, possibly feeding some TFC Academy players into the Dutch Lions if they're not ready for MLS, and maybe an exhibition at BMO Field (below) in the future for the Dutch Lions.

Hell, a friendly at BMO Field for the Dutch Lions against Toronto F.C. would probably cut it for a deal as that would be great publicity for the Dutch Lions. So, hopefully see all of you Dutch Lions fans in Toronto for a roadtrip sometime soon.

12/13/2010: Dutch Technical Coach & Owner of Winning Skills, Cor van Hoeven, Becomes Technical Director of Dayton Dutch Lions

2010-12-13T20:23:00.000-08:00

Cor van Hoeven, owner of the Dutch technical school Winning Skills has had a thought sharing relationship with the Dutch Lions for at least a few years. The above pictures are from the first ever Dutch Lions tryout, over a year ago, in the Netherlands on December 7th, 2009; where van Hoeven was helping Dutch Lions owner Erik Tammer evaluate and select Dutch Lion players like Bas Ent, Johan Wigger, and etc.

Nevertheless, with no youth academy in place back in December of 2009, the Dutch Lions were not in dire need of a pure Technical Director like van Hoeven until they got their youth academy up and running. Now with the Academy up and running successfully in the Fall of 2010, thanks to the efforts of Dutch Lion first team players and youth coaches Ivar van Dinteren and Eddie Hertsenberg (pictures below), the need for someone such as Cor van Hoeven for the next step of setting the technical agenda of the youth players at DDL F.C. is necessary.

Eddie Hertsenberg coaches a Dutch Lions girl academy player, while Ivar van Dinteren runs a drill with the boys academy players this Fall.

It's also a good sign that roles are being evolved and adapted in a positive manner within the Dutch Lions organization; As during the 2010 season the Dutch Lions had Sonny Silooy double as the Head Coach and Technical Director. Which was probably too many hats, despite Silooy's experience.

In contrast, in 2011 it appears that Cor van Hoeven (who has four soccer school branches in the Netherlands) will run the technical agenda at the academy while a head coach focuses solely on the first team. This split will likely allow a solid first team coach to focus solely on trophies for the Dutch Lions, while Cor van Hoeven builds up a Dutch Lions soccer school here in Dayton- a school similiar to what van Hoeven has been building the past 10 years in Holland with his four branches there.

A good call as van Hoeven has had success with his Dutch schools and also has sold many DVD's on techniques for youth players back in Holland. And those who have found success in previous endeavors in a field usually are more likely to replicate those results.

On November 1st 2010, Cor van Hoeven took over as Technical Director on a three year contract. In the below picture from November 6th van Hoeven evaluates American talent in a tryout for the USL-Pro team with Director of Coaches Ivar van Dinteren and Owner Erik Tammer.

Van Hoeven most recently was head of education at BVV Barendrecht, a third division Dutch side and also was assistant coach for over two years with a Finnish top flight side. Van Hoeven also has coached multiple Dutch sides in over 16 years of coaching (complete resume below).

Best of luck to Cor in his endeavors here in Dayton.

Go to Winning Skills.com for more on van Hoeven.

van Hoeven trains with a youth at BVV Barendrecht

Cor van Hoeven’s Overall Experience

Head education
BVV Barendrecht
(Sports industry)

June 2010 — Present (7 months)

Owner
Winning Skills Westland
(Privately Held; Sports industry)

April 2001 — Present (9 years 9 months)

Interim coach
R.V.V.H.
(Sports industry)

January 2010 — June 2010 (6 months)

Head Education and coach of several youth teams
Excelsior-M
(Sports industry)

June 2005 — March 2010 (4 years 10 months)

Head coach
Excelsior ' 20
(Sports industry)

June 2006 — June 2008 (2 years 1 month)

Head coach and Head Education
R.K.V.V. Westlandia
(Sports industry)

January 2002 — June 2004 (2 years 6 months)

Assistant coach and Head Education
F.C. Jokerit ( fins veikkausliga )
(Sports industry)

February 2001 — October 2001 (9 months)

Head coach
VV Rozenburg
(Sports industry)

July 1999 — June 2000 (1 year )

Head coach
MVV 27
(Sports industry)

July 1995 — June 1999 (4 years )

Cor van Hoeven’s Education

Fontys Hogescholen
Sports Marketing 2002 — 2004

Royal Dutch Soccer Association
Trainer Coach / Teacher 1993 — 2003

Activities and Societies:Trainer Coach 3,2 and 1. ( UEFA A )
Teacher of the academy

12/10/2010: Ruben van de Water First Dutch Signing of 2011

2010-12-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

24-year-old Ruben van de Water is more in the class of the Bruce Godvilet's, the Bas Ent's, the Julius Wille's, and etc. as a 2011 signing. Meaning unlike Oscar Moens, van de Water will not be stealing many Dutch or American headlines for signing with the Dayton Dutch Lions.

Not a problem nevertheless; Ruben is one of those signings that gets to the route at some of the things the Dutch Lions attempt to do. As the Dutch Lions entice some Dutch players with extracurriculars (youth training experience, Sports Management degree) into a multi-year contract to do their bidding on and off the field. Luckily for Ruben and the Dutch Lions, Ruben van de Water has both youth training, a Sports Management degree, and on-the-field talent and experience in his resume.

Furthermore, Ruben comes to America as a multi-purpose deal as his girlfriend will make the trip with him and she has some business talent and will help out the Dutch Lions as well. It's very interesting how the Dutch Lions are not only looking for players who help them win on the field, but also help them win off the field in their front office. Some of the Dutch Lion players in 2011, just like in 2010, are multi-talented and will wear many hats in helping out the organization.

Ruben does however have talent on the pitch as well. The SC Enshede player (Dutch 3rd division) actually received a full ride to Xavier University (the alma mater of Dutch Lions owner Mike Mossel) in 2008. However, Ruben did not make the trip over because of family issues and believed that his chances at an adventure stateside were over.

Nevertheless, the Dutch Lions have fulfilled a "dream come true" and a second chance for Ruben according to de twenstche courant. Ruben has his American dream, and as the first Dutch signing in 2011 will fulfill many roles for the Dutch Lions in seasons to come.

Welcome to Dayton Ruben!

A second article from Voetbal.NL.

12/9/2010: Video From Dutch Tryouts, Clarence Seedorf's Nephew Tries Out For Dayton Dutch Lions

2010-12-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

Below is a video from Radio Netherlands Worldwide from the Dutch Lions Netherlands tryout. One of the featured players by Radio Netherlands was Regillio Seedorf, newphew of famous Dutch, A.C. Milan player Clarence Seedorf. The 21 year old Regillio hasn't had as remarkable of a career as his cousin yet, with only stops in the Second Division of Belgium and the Netherlands. But, with a nice goal strike at the end of this video, who knows his career might take off stateside starting with the Dayton Dutch Lions:

12/6/2010: Oscar Moens Puts Priority With Sparta, American Season Can Wait

2010-12-05T22:16:00.000-08:00

According to soccernews.nl and various Dutch sources, Dayton Dutch Lions goalkeeper Oscar Moens stated today that "he will do as David Beckham does" when it comes to his contract with the Dayton Dutch Lions. Meaning that he will play out the rest of the Dutch season with Sparta Rotterdam (a club that has flirted with the Dutch Premier Division the last few years) and won't return to Dayton until he's done with Sparta this season.

The Dutch season doesn't end until mid-May, and Moens is under contract to start the USL-Pro season with the Dutch Lions in March. There has been no response yet from the Dutch Lions on how they feel about Moens plans. As on one hand Moens was one of the Dutch Lions top performers in 2010, but on the other hand it's likely that the Dutch Lions will want their number #1 keeper in net from the start of preseason.

If the Dutch Lions have a high priority for having a starting keeper on their roster for 100% percent of the season, they may have to look elsewhere and scuttle Moens large salary. Then again the Dutch Lions ownership and fans hold Moens in high regard; and may decide that having Moens for 70% percent of the year is better than none at all. Either way, Moens looks to put Sparta as his main priority and stating so emphatically in an interview with Voetbal International may hurt his return:

"Well, how it works in America. The competition was two months ago and starts over again not until March. Until then they all will probably play basketball or something. I've signed with Sparta until the end of the season. I would like my arrangement to be the same as David Beckham," said Moens.

No word yet on whether the Dayton Dutch Lions would be okay with such an arrangement.

12/1/2010: Former Dutch Lions Striker Den Ouden Says Goodbye To Football In Testimonial Match, Dutch Lions Moens and Tammer On Hand

2010-11-30T22:08:00.000-08:00

Dutch Lions former striker den Ouden, scored his final goals with the Dayton club this Summer, announces retirement in testimonial match that took place on Tuesday, November 30th.

12/1/2010: Former Dutch Lions Striker Den Ouden Says Goodbye To Football In Testimonial Match, Dutch Lions Moens and Tammer On Hand

This Tuesday, on a frigid cold afternoon at Woudestein Stadium in Rotterdam, former Dayton Dutch Lion striker Geert den Ouden said goodbye to professional football. The 34-year-old den Ouden had a very nice strike rate for the Dutch Lions in the PDL with 8 goals in 10 matches during the 2010 season, and the club missed him up top during their playoff run last season.

Den Ouden had to part ways with the Dayton club early, before the end of the 2010 season, due to family issues back in Holland. But, den Ouden did make a splash in Dayton, his departure came during a hot streak for the Dutch veteran- as den Ouden scored 3 of his 8 Dutch Lion goals in his last two games.

The veteran striker was visibly moved in his last Dutch Lions game; as den Ouden was close to tears when Sonny Silooy substituted him for a final round of applause, from the Dayton fans, back in June 2010 (video below). The striker hinted towards retirement during his Dutch Lions season but officially called an end to his career today, playing in two games in which family, friends, and former colleagues came onto the pitch.

In the last of two testimonial games, den Ouden scored the final goal in a 4-2 victory. Many big names of the football world took part in the game. Feyenoord coach Mario Been was in charge of former professionals Oscar Moens, Kees Luijckx, René van Dieren, Tommie van der Leegte and Henk van Stee. Also, Dutch Lions owner Erik Tammer, Bart Latuheru, Sander Keller, Damiën Hertog and Daniël Rijaard took part in the game.

Over his career, den Ouden scored 116 goals in 326 professional outings for clubs such as the Dayton Dutch Lions, Excelsior, Djurgårdens IF, ADO Den Haag, Willem II, De Graafschap and FC Valletta. The match at Excelsior's Woudestein stadium, took place where it all began for den Ouden in 1998 with Eredivise (Premier club)Excelsior, where den Ouden had his most caps (128) and most goals (45).

den Ouden's last professional goal in his last game with the Dutch Lions (go to 1:18 to start the den Ouden's goal sequence), den Ouden scored in the 55th minute helping the Dutch Lions to a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire:

den Ouden also had the game winning assist in the 89th minute setting up Dutch Lions winger George Davis IV, before being substituted in the 90th minute to a round of applause (all of that can be seen above later on in the footage as well).

12/1/2010: Video- Dayton Dutch Lions 2010 Recap & Look Ahead To USL Pro 2011

2010-11-30T21:16:00.000-08:00

Dayton Dutch Lions 2010 Recap & Look Ahead To USL Pro 2011:

11/26/2010: Dutch Lions Fan Favorite & Top Performer Oscar Moens Signs On With Sparta Rotterdam

2010-11-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

The 37 year old Moens receives opportunity back in Holland with Sparta Rotterdam, looks to bring recently relegated club back to Dutch Premier Division.

11/26/2010: Dutch Lions Fan Favorite & Top Performer Oscar Moens Signs On With Sparta Rotterdam

According to multiple Dutch reports, 37 year old former Dutch Lions keeper Oscar Moens will takeover as goalkeeper immediately in replacement of Andre Krul for Sparta Rotterdam. Moens has been signed on for the remainder of the Erstedivise (Dutch Second Division) season that runs until May.

It is hoped that Moens can bring some stability in the nets of Sparta, who have been struggling with Krul in their goal. Sparta Rotterdam are hoping that some stability in the back can help return the club to the Dutch Premier Division as well; As Sparta were relegated from the Dutch Premier Division after returning last season.

Dayton Dutch Lion fans will probably have a mixed reaction to the news; As ownership and fans concurred that Moens was one player that they would definitely like to have back for the USL-Pro season. However, the deal for Moens is only until May, so hopefully the keeper will return to the Dutch Lions after his spell with Sparta Rotterdam. Further good news is that Moens will be fit and in form if he decides to return after his Dutch season.

11/26/2010: Top Talent in Burgzorg, Kobussen, & Copier Try Out For Dutch Lions

2010-11-25T22:21:00.000-08:00

Action from the try outs (left picture) as Dutch Lion owners Erik Tammer and Mike Mossel look on with Caretaker manager Ivar van Dinteren (seated).

11/26/2010: Top Talent in Burgzorg, Kobussen, & Copier Try Out For Dutch Lions

A year to get their name out to players, a jump up two divisions, and the news of an adventure to America that may end up with a contract offer from MLS (as former Dutch Lions player Bas Ent is in a process of inking a 3 year deal with MLS club Toronto F.C.) must of helped the Dutch Lions prospects in this year's trial.

As according to the Dutch Lions, 120 players showed up for the trial at the Sportpark Berg & Bos Stadium, where A.G.O.V.V. Appeldoorn competes in the Dutch Second Division, on the afternoon of November 24th. The try out may have taken place in Second Division surroundings, but there was credible First Division talent on hand for the Dutch Lions. Most notably, young Eredivise players Mitchell Burgzorg and Glenn Kobussen and Austrian U-21 player Mettin Copier.

The age of all three aforementioned talents is promising news for the Dutch Lions considering both Kobussen and Copier are 21 and Burgzorg is 23. The Dutch Lions would do well to bring these sort of young talents over for the USL-Pro season compared to some of the more well known 33 to 36 year old Dutch players, with bigger names in Holland, that the Lions have gone with before. These young players will be hungry (similiar to Bas Ent) to make a name for themselves while an older player usually has little or nothing to prove, can consider America a vacation, and could take a game off every once in a while.

It's a good sign that the Dutch Lions ownership is under the same mindset, since the try-out recap on the Dutch Lions website highlighted mostly younger names. Here's a little on some of the players trying to gain a contract with the Dutch Lions, most sound like players that a MLS squad would have no problem giving a look at and then some.

Mitchell "Priest" Burgzorg
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 23
Position: Right back
Current/ Former Clubs: None currently. Last played for Eredivise (Premier Division) side N.E.C. Nijmegen from 2008 to Summer of 2010 with
26 overall appearances for Premier Division N.E.C., best run was as a starter for half of the season in the 2009 to 2010 season with 20 appearances. 38 appearances as a starter with Dutch (Second Division) Haarlem from 2006-2008 as well before joining N.E.C.
Contract: Out of contract with N.E.C. since the Summer of 2010, Burgzorg almost signed with English League Two Barnet and Greek Premier side Panserraikos but those negotiations failed. Since then, Dutch (Second Division side) S.C. Cambuur have wanted to sign Burgzorg but financial issues have stopped the Dutch Frisian club from being able to do so. However, Burgzorg trains with Cambuur currently and Cambuur hopes to offer Burgzorg a contract in January according to multiple Dutch sources.

Interesting about Burgzorg: Mitchell is a mildly successful rapper in the Netherlands that goes by Priest or Priester. Mitchell raps in his spare time or rather as a second career. Hopefully Burgzorg is not trying to make it his priority for coming to America as a first career, but going to America is where any inspiring rapper worldwide would probably like to go. If Burgzorg can help the Dutch Lions defense at right back and help his rapping career at the same time, and that gets him to the Dutch Lions instead of Cambuur, more power to him.

Also I have a feeling looking at the first video that Mr. Burgzorg/Priester might be a marketing coo for the Dutch Lions if they can bring him on board. As fans, especially American fans, always want to root for interesting personalities.

Some Burgzorg Videos:

Glenn Kobussen
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 21
Position: Right midfield
Current/ Former Clubs: Kobussen's former club was Feyernoord where he was with their youth teams since 2005. In 2009 Kobussen worked his way up to the first team and debuted for Premier side Feyernoord in the 82nd minute of a league match against Sparta Rotterdam. Unfornately, that would be his only time with Feyernoord. In the Summer of 2009, Kobussen signed on with his hometown side Go Ahead Eagles. Kobussen has been with Go Ahead for a year and a half and only has worked his way onto the field for four appearances. The youngster is used mostly as cover in midfield as he improves his game.

Interesting about Kobussen: Definitely appears to be a guy hungry for some first team time with some club. Definitely has talent to be in the youth program of Feyernoord for so long and to work his way up to the first team. Kobussen appears to be a kid with talent just looking for the right opportunity.

Possibly Erik Tammer, who also played at Go Ahead Eagles, will be giving Kobussen that opportunity.

Mettin Copier
Nationality: Austrian, 3 Call Ups to Austrian U-21 team. Started in a 2-1 win over Italy's U-21 in March 2009
Age: 21
Position: Defender
Current/Former Clubs: Top Oss, of the Topklasse (3rd Division) that Bas Ent played in most recently with Katwijk. Previously was with Dutch Premier club AZ Alkmaar where Copier worked in the youth ranks under now Bayern Munchen coach Louis van Gaal and also earned a first team contract with Gaal in 2009. Did not make any appearances with Alkmaar in 2009-2010, so was loaned to Telstar of Dutch Second Division where Copier made 4 appearances. Then transferred in August to Top Oss of the Dutch Third Division.

11/24/2010: How USL-Pro Is Shaping Up, Team Capsules, & Favorites For Winning In 2011

2010-11-24T06:24:00.000-08:00

How USL-Pro Is Shaping Up

USL-Pro is expecting to be the "highest level of competition in the United States outside of Major League Soccer" according to USL CEO Alec Papadakis. But, more than likely, in 2011 at least, the USL-Pro Division will be considered by U.S. Soccer as a stabilization of U.S. 3rd Division soccer. While the NASL (with more established clubs- such as the Puerto Rico Islanders and Montreal Impact) will be considered Division 2 soccer in 2011.

This is not set in stone. However, that appears to be the proposed setup of U.S. Soccer in 2011 considering the tougher standards that have been set to be considered a Division 2 club; as well as the fact that the 8 teams looking to compete in the NASL have a better overall shot of reaching that standard. Seven out of the eight teams qualify as D2 clubs in 2011, with the Puerto Rico Islanders likely to receive an exemption in 2011; even though the Islanders do not meet all the standards this season.

In comparison many of the newly formed clubs in USL-Pro would have a difficult time reaching that standard (such as FC New York, the Puerto Rican clubs- Sevilla FC Puerto Rico and River Plate Puerto Rico, Barracuda FC, the returning Wilmington Hammerheads, etc.).

Also, the USL-Pro's most established clubs consist mainly of former 3rd division clubs anyways (USL-2), such as the Charleston Battery, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, and Wilmington Hammerheads. Further, with former USL-1 clubs such as Vancouver and Portland moving to MLS in 2011 and the Puerto Rico Islanders moving to the NASL, the only USL-Pro teams that were 2nd division club's last season are the Rochester Rhinos and newly formed Orlando City (which competed in USL-1 as the Austin Aztex from 2008 to 2010). Additionally, the Dayton Dutch Lions, who were ready for and announced a move up to USL-2 (3rd division soccer) in the Summer of 2010 ended up in USL-Pro when that league was dissolved.

So, it is likely that U.S. Soccer will classify USL-Pro as the 3rd Division in 2011. Not that this won't make for exciting and interesting soccer, as despite the classification the USL-PRO League should be as compelling, if not more compelling than the NASL League in 2011. As USL-PRO, will have twice the ammount of expected teams in 2011 (16 compared to the NASL's 8). Further, USL-Pro may have more compelling matchups overall, with possible playoff matchups such as Sevilla Puerto Rico (who play a Spanish style) possibly squaring off with the Dayton Dutch Lions (with their Dutch philosophy) at the end of the 2011 season.

Here's a breakdown of the USL-Pro's 13 Current teams and 3 proposed teams. As well as what to expect from each club:

Orlando City SC
New 2011 club, relocated from Austin as the Austin Aztex to Orlando as Orlando City
Owners: One of the better funded clubs with respectable ownership-
English majority owner Phil Rawlins is a board member of English Premier League club Stoke City.
Another English owner, Brendan Flood, is a board member on English Championship club Burnley.
A third owner, Dan Williams, is a successful American businessman.
Affiliate/Partner club: Stoke City of English Premier League
Team Manager: Adrian Heath. More than likely the best manager in USL-Pro in the 2011 season. The midfielder had a successful club career in the top flights of England (especially with Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, and Burnley) with an overall 559 caps and 112 goals.

Heath has also managed English clubs Burnley, Sheffield United, and Coventry City before taking over with Austin Aztex/Orlando City. So, Heath has some wonderful managerial experience as well.

Adrian Heath in his Everton days

League in 2010: USSF-2 Pro League, Division 2 in American Soccer Pyramid
Finish in 2010: 2nd in USSF D-2 Pro League, Quarterfinal Playoff Finish. Which made Austin Aztex/Orlando City one of the top clubs in 2nd Division American soccer last season. A drop down to mainly 3rd division, and worse opponents like the proposed Carribbean clubs should make Orlando City a top competitor in 2011.
Attendance in 2010: Austin Aztex/Orlando City had a healthy attendance of 3,733 in Austin in 2010 that a lot of their other USL-Pro opponents would kill for. Which makes you wonder a little about the move to Orlando City, especially considering soccer's failures in the state of Florida previously. Hopefully the decision does not bite Phil Rawlins and company in the behind.

Florida is known for Disney World, the beach, spring training, and Miami clubs. It's not known for it's sports enthuisasts.

Players: Looks like the Austin Aztex will keep their team mainly intact in the move to Orlando City. Forwards Jamie Watson and Maxwell Griffin(who both tallied 10 goals a piece in 2010) return to anchor the front. The defense is anchored by talented players such as Leonard Griffin (who played in MLS), and Haitian national player Mechack Jerome as well as Jamaican national player Kieron Bernard, the midfield is run by a young Brazilian miastro Sullivan Silva, and in net is a solid keeper in former Tigres product/ Mexican international Miguel Gallardo. Jay Needham is also another solid American defender with 50 appearances with a first division Norwegian club. So, Orlando City should have one of the better, established lineups in 2011's USL-Pro season.

Orlando City's solid lineup will include the Brazilian Sullivan Silva and the MLS seasoned Leonard Griffin.

Expected Finish in 2011's USL-Pro: 1st or 2nd. Have to be one of the favorites with a solidified roster, solid ownership group, and an experienced coach on and off the field.

Rochester Rhinos
Owner: Rob Clark
Affiliate/Partner club: None
Team Manager: Bob Lilley, Managed Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps from 2002-2007. Scored 73 goals in 173 appearances in indoor leagues with the Harrisburg Heat
League in 2010: USSF D-2 Pro League, 2nd Division
Finish in 2010: 1st in USL division of USSF D-2 Pro League and 1st overall
Attendance in 2010: 6,464 average attendance, wonderful soccer specific stadium probably helps with attendance. The Rochester Rhinos are one of two clubs with a legitimate soccer specific stadium in the USL-Pro league.

The Rhinos have strong attendances and a nice home advantage at Marina Auto Stadium

Players: A strong roster includes experienced central defender and captain Frank Sanfilippo holding down the defense with nearly 200 USL-1 caps since 2005. The midfield includes talents such as Jamie Franks, former Toronto F.C. player Tyler Rosenlund, and former F.C. Dallas regular Aaron Pitchkolan (who had 68 appearances and 5 goals for the MLS club from 2005-2009).

MLS experienced Pitchkolan will lead the Rhinos midfield into the USL-Pro 2011 season.

Expected finish in 2011's USL-Pro: 1st or 2nd. The champions of the USSF Second Division regular season and USL conference champions have much easier competition to contend with this year overall. Therefore, a repeat placing should be expected.

Charleston Battery
Owner: Englishman Tony Bakker
Affiliate/Partner Club: None
Team Manager: Michael Anhaeuser, former Battery player with 115 caps for the club in the mid- 90's. Retired after a bad ACL tear in 1999. Came on as an assistant in 2004 and has had the head job with the Battery since 2005.
League in 2010: USL-2, Third Division in U.S. Soccer
Finish in 2010: 1st in USL-2 regular season and playoff champions.
Attendance in 2010: 3,641 average in 5,113 soccer specific Blackbaud Stadium

Blackbaud Stadium and the Battery play host to three MLS teams in a tournament at their stadium every preseason. Last year's opponents included D.C. United, Toronto F.C., and Red Bull New York.

Players: The Charleston Battery have been led by South African Stephen Armstrong since 2006 in the midfield. The former Watford, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizard, and Columbus Crew player has been a veteran rock in the Battery midfield. Armstrong has 111 appearances and 25 goals for the Battery. Other players of note include Irishman Colin Falvey who has made a career in the leagues of Ireland and New Zealand before joining up with the Battery. Mike Zaher is a good young American defender who played well for the Battery in 2010 and has 10 appearances with MLS San Jose.

Expected finish in 2011 USL-Pro Season: 1st-3rd. I would expect the Battery to finish behind a team with a little more punch in their roster like Rochester and Orlando City. But, the Battery are the only USL-Pro team that won everything they set out to win before their season, as they won both the regular season and their playoffs. That kind of focus might put them on top.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Owner: Former team manager Gene Klein
Affiliate/Partner Club: Everton F.C. of English Premier League
Team Manager: Former Riverhounds player and first ever player drafted by the Riverhounds in 1999, Justin Evans. Evans played in Poland, made 30 appearances in MLS, then finished out his career in second division U.S. soccer with over 80 appearances for the Battery and 33 for the Riverhounds before becoming assistant and than head manager of Pittsburgh.
League in 2010: USL-2, U.S. Soccer 3rd Division.
Finish in 2010: 3rd in USL-2 and Semifinal appearance in playoffs where they just lost out to the eventual champions, the Charleston Battery.
Attendance in 2010: Around 900 average. But, averaged around 1,500 for their playoff games (pictured below)

Pictures from the Semifinal game against Charleston

Players: The Riverhounds are led by some award winners in 2010. Japanese midfielder Shintaro Harada was a MVP finalist and won most valuable defender of USL-2, forward Jeremy Deighton won rookie of the year in USL-2 with six goals in 13 appearances, and Hunter Gilstrap won goalkeeper of the year in USL-2. The Riverhounds are led in defense by Yugoslavian Nikola Katic and captain Nathan Salsi.

Harada leads the Riverhounds from his defensive midfield position. Harada has played in the J-League with many caps for clubs such as Yokohama Marinos and ALO's Hokuriku.

Expected finish in 2011 USL-PRO Season: 3rd or 4th. The Riverhounds have a young team that will just get better. In a new division that won't be that much different skillwise from USL-2, I would expect the Riverhounds to find themselves around 3rd place again.

Dayton Dutch Lions F.C.
Owners: Mike Mossel & Erik Tammer. Tammer was a former striker, mainly in the Dutch Erstedivise, with 314 overall appearances with 153 goals. Mossel was a former player as well. Both own Dutch Sport Managing businesses in Holland.
Affiliate Club: FC Twente, Dutch 2010 League Winner & Champions League club in 2011
Team Manager: None currently. Was former Ajax legend and Dutch national player Sonny Silooy. But, a bumpy and sometimes inconsistent season that found the PDL favorites finishing in 3rd place in their division and out of the PDL playoffs probably led to the club and Silooy parting ways. The Dutch Lions 2010 finish was slightly disappointing considering that the Dutch Lions were the only team in their division with professional players (Oscar Moens, Hans van de Haar, Geert den Ouden, among others) on their roster opposed to the rest of their PDL Great Lakes division opponents in 2010, who had entire roster's consisting of college players.

After the Silooy departure, it will be interesting to see if the Dutch Lions (who at times like to be flashy) decide to go with another big, expensive name to lead the team into the USL-Pro 2011 season or if they go in house with Ivar van Dinteren. van Dinteren, who played with the Dutch Lions in 2010, has led the Dutch Lions youth program since Silooy parted ways with the club and some rumors tap him as a more affordable replacement. van Dinteren has play 279 professional games, with most of them coming with Erstedivise sides FC Zwolle and Helmond Sport.

League in 2010: Professional Development League, U.S. Soccer's 4th Division
Finish in 2010: 3rd behind Forest City and Michigan Bucks, Great Lakes Division of PDL.
Attendance in 2010: 1,274 average (6th best in PDL), Dutch Lions will look to build on their attendance with more knowledge on promoting and a more competitive and interesting schedule.

Players: The Dutch Lions are likely to return Oscar Moens, the former Dutch national team keeper and PSV player was a rock in goal for the Dutch Lions; Moens was one player worth the dosh. Other players that were overwhelming consistent include George Davis IV and Bret Jones, both could likely expect to be called back in. Some other Dutch Lion, Dutch players who could find their way back in are possibly Johan Wigger and possibly a couple others. Bas Ent would be on the Dutch Lions wish list, but Dutch reports have him inking a 3 year deal with Toronto F.C.

I expect most of the 2010 Dutch Lions roster to get an invite to camp to at least battle for their spots, but I also expect a decent ammount of changes in 2011.

Expected finish in 2011's USL-PRO League: 3rd-5th. The Dutch Lions likely have a bit of rebuilding to do. But, their owners are ambitious, they'll add more talent to their roster, and should compete in USL-Pro right away regardless. Depending on who they bring in from Holland they could jump up to 1st or 2nd.

Richmond Kickers
Owners: Rob Ukrop, heir to Ukrop Supermarket Chain and professional soccer player, mainly indoor but included a stint in 1996 with the New England Revolution.
Affiliate club: None
Team Manager: Englishman Leigh Cowlishaw who played his entire footballing career in Richmond, Virginia. First with the University of Richmond and then for the Richmond Kickers with 152 caps and 20 goals since 1993. Cowlishaw is still rostered and the 39 year old still makes the oft appearance for the Kickers. Cowlishaw has been the player/manager for Richmond since 2001.

The Richmond club which has been around longer than all MLS teams, is known for their stability.

League in 2010: USL-2, U.S. Third Division.
Finish in 2010: Second in USL-2 regular season, reached the final and lost against Battery in playoffs.
Attendance in 2010: 2,022 average at The City Stadium, pictured below. The Kickers use the ground solely at the moment, therefore it could be considered soccer-specific in some manner.

Players: Richmond is led in defense by German defender Sascha Gorres with 139 appearances and 14 mainly header goals. Brazilian playmaker Gerson dos Santos anchors the midfield. Richmond is led up top by a couple of Brits in Englishman Matthew Delicate (who has been on fire since rejoining the Kickers in 2009 with 24 goals in 39 appearances) and Scot Ross Mackenzie who usually does the feeding for Delicate.

Matthew Delicate has had the Delicate touch for the Kickers as of late, bagging 24 goals in 39 appearances since 2009.

Expected finish in 2011 USL-Pro Season: 3rd-6th. Kickers have a strong lineup but lack a little pizazz and creative punch; other than the Brazilian Dos Santos. I see the Kickers finishing either right in front or right behind the Riverhounds in 2011.

Charlotte Eagles
Owners: Pat Stewart, the Charlotte Eagles are also a division of Missionary Athletes International (MAI), an organization which undertakes sports ministry to share the message of Conservative Christianity through the environment of soccer. Hence, the cross in the crest.
Affiliate/Partner Club: None
Team Manager: Mark Steffens, head coach since 1997

League in 2010: USL-2, 3rd Division in U.S. Soccer
League Finish in 2010: 4th in USL-2 and did not qualify for playoffs.
Attendance in 2010: 911 on average

Players: Columbian Jorge Herrera, formerly of Hurcan and Millionarios, is the Eagles creative force in midfield with 22 goals in 61 appearances. Herrera can link up with new Uruguayan forward Gustavo Bentos (who only has over 500 caps and over 200 goals at the age of 33). Zimbabwe striker Patrick Daka leads things up top as well with over a 100 caps.

Columbian Jorge Herrera is the creative force in the Eagles midfield, that will need more creativity to compete in USL-Pro.

Expected finish in 2011 USL-Pro League: 7th or 8th, maybe as low as 10th. A weaker club overall out of the USL-2 group. Not real ambitious, not putting a lot of money into attracting crowds, a good finish every few years. Probably have had the same coach for too long as well, since 1997, despite only three good seasons.

Harrisburg City Islanders
Owners: Eric Pettis
Affiliate/Partner Club: None
Team Manager: Bill Becher

League in 2010: USL-2, 3rd Division in U.S. Soccer
Finish in 2010: 5th, since arriving on the scene the Harrisburg City Islanders have never finished better than 3rd in the 3rd division. But, have made a lot more noise than a lot of other 2nd Division or 3rd Division teams in the most important competition usually for these clubs- the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In 2007, 2009, and this past 2010 season the Harrisburg City Islanders have knocked off a MLS club to reach the quarterfinals of that competition.
Attendance in 2010: 1,711 average attendance

The most well-known City Islander, Cepero played for Red Bull New York in an MLS Championship against the Columbus Crew in 2008.

Players: Danny Cepero is the highest profile player on the City Islanders. The goalkeeper played for Red Bull New York in their MLS Cup final against the Columbus Crew and scored a goal from 80 yards away on the Crew earlier in that season (video below). 29 year old Englishman and Blackburn Rovers youth product David Schofield anchors the City Islanders midfield with 112 caps and 6 goals since joining the club since it's inception in 2004. Other than those two, not a lot of significant names on the Islanders

Expected finish in 2011 USL-Pro League: 8th to 10th, the City Islanders finished last in USL-2 last season, and the addition of a couple more tougher squads from the second division along with the Dayton Dutch Lions won't help their standing. It isn't good when your highest profile player is your goalkeeper. However, the City Islanders have been giant killers against some MLS clubs taking a nap. If some of the tougher clubs in USL-Pro take a nap against them as well, they could get results.

Wilmington Hammerheads
Owner: Bill Rudisill, one of two investors from North Carolina and the other from Chicago, Illnois that bought the club and are looking to re-instill it's success in 2011. The club had to take a year off last year because of the USL barring Wilmington under owner Chuck Sullivan, who wasn't meeting the requirements of USL such as not playing players since mid-season.
Affiliate/Partner Club: None
Team Manager: Englishman David Irving, former Everton and Oldham Athletic player. Also played for the NASL Ft. Lauderdale Strikers

League in 2010: None, but formerly of USL-2 in 2009
League Finish in 2009: 1st in USL-2 and Semifinal playoff finish.
Attendance in 2009: 2,000 fans on average a game, 5,000 for playoff games.

Players: A bit unknown after a year off in 2010. Many of their former players have moved on to other clubs and it will be tough for Wilmington to reacquire most of them. Therefore, the Hammerheads have to rebuild again.

Expected finish in 2011 USL-Pro League: 10th to 12th. This could go really good for the Hammerheads after a year off if they could get a lot of their players back. If so I see them finishing ahead of less ambitious Charlotte and Harrisburg City. However, I don't see that being so easy. So, I think Wilmington struggles a little bit in their first year back and get it together in 2012.

Sevilla Puerto Rico
Owner: Spanish businessman Alberto Santiago Vega
Affiliate/Partner Club: Sevilla of La Liga
Team Manager: Michael Megaloudis

League in 2010: Puerto Rico Soccer League, Not part of U.S. Soccer
League Finish In 2010: 2nd
Attendance in 2010: A few hundred. Apparently trying to build a new stadium of 13,000 in the small town of Juncos with only 40,000 people. Here is the rendering below. Don't know how these clubs will operate in U.S. 3rd division, outside of Puerto Rico's only big market (San Juan- 2.5 million people) where even Puerto Rico Islanders struggle to get 5,000 people.

For more information on the stituation on the new USL Puerto Rico clubs, click on this story. Better hope Sevilla Puerto Rico is getting cash from Puerto Rico Spain.

Players: 32 year old Cuban striker Alberto Delgado is the only notable face with a short stint in Colorado in 2004 with 13 caps and 1 goal.

Expected Finish in USL-Pro 2011 League- 11th to 14th. They might be better than the one true U.S. expansion club, F.C. New York. Have had the most success out of the Puerto Rican clubs being possibly gained.

F.C. New York
Owners: Jo-Ellen Trieber and Doug Petersen
Team Manager: Englishman Matt Weston, former Ispwich and Manchester United player

Jo-Ellen Treiber, Doug Petersen, and company revel in new franchise.

Team news: New franchise, will play at Hofstra University's 13,000 stadium in Nassau County even though the team's emblem is representative of Queens; Where the club was intended to play.

Expected finish: Will do better than most of the Puerto Rico clubs just because their an American club, with a better pool of players and more resources.

Barracuda FC of Antigua
Owner: Antiguan Gordon Derrick
Team Manager: Scot Billy McEwan; who played for Hibernan, Blackpool, Peterborough United, and Rotherham United. And managed Sheffield United, Rotherham United, and Derby County before coming to Barracuda F.C.

Attendance: Had one team match in April 2010 against Puerto Rico Islanders that drew 1,000 fans to their stadium below.

Team News: Also had two friendlies scheduled with the Montreal Impact in 2010 that they had to cancel because of financial difficulty. Respected Montreal Impact owner- Joey Saputo, whose club is MLS bound in 2012, accused the Antiguan club of a serious lack of professionalism for cancelling the friendlies.

Good omen there for Barracuda joining USL-Pro.

Expected Finish in USL-Pro 2011 League: Who knows, 12th to 15th.

Club Athletico River Plate Puerto Rico
Owner: Argentinian Steven Alvarez
Affiliate/Partner Club: River Plate of Argentina Primera
Team Manager: Argentinian Walter Zermatten, former Argentinos Juniors player and became River Plate Puerto Rico coach after playing for the club in 2009.

League in 2010: PRSL, Not in U.S. Soccer
Finish in 2010: 1st
Attendance in 2010: Best attendance ever was 3,000 but probably 500 to 1,000 in San Juan play in Estadio Sixto Escobar (below)

Very nice website for the club, seems like River Plate funds them well.

Players: 34 year old Argentinian striker Juan Sara leads River Plate's attack. The former Dundee United, Gallipoli, Huracan, FC Locarno man has 4 goals in 2 games since joining recently. He's joined by Argentinian/Guatemalan Claudio Rojas who at 36 has played for River Plate of Argentina and many Mexican clubs. Rojas also has 24 national caps for Guatemala.

Expected finish in 2010: 6th to 10th. River Plate is plus 27 in goal differential and leads the PRSL with 18 points at the moment to the Islanders 13 and Sevilla's 10. They could make some noise in the USL-Pro if they keep getting Argentine's from River Plate.

Other clubs expected to join:
Indios de Mayaguez of Puerto Rico

Pali Blues of Pacific Palisades, California

Puerto Rico United of Puerto Rico

11/23/2010: Former Dayton Dutch Lions Player Bas Ent Signs 3 Year Deal With Toronto F.C.

2010-11-23T01:26:00.001-08:00

23 year old Bas Ent impressed MLS clubs Toronto F.C. and the Columbus Crew during his time in America with the Dayton Dutch Lions. Ent trialed for Toronto for a week and played 45 minutes for the Canadian club against EPL side Bolton Wanderers. Then Ent got a week trial with the Crew after impressing in a friendly matchup against the Crew (above). However, Toronto will nab the young Dutch winger over Columbus.

11/23/2010: Former Dayton Dutch Lions Player Bas Ent Signs 3 Year Deal With Toronto F.C.

Dutch Topklasser League website, Topklasser.nl, which is the league website of Bas Ent's Dutch side, Katwijk, reported today that 23 year old Bas Ent has signed a three year deal with MLS side Toronto F.C.; A popular Dutch soccer website, VoetbalPrimeur.nl, has also picked up the story. Both of these stories confirm what I've personally heard (used to work at DDL F.C.) from a former Dayton Dutch Lions co-worker a week ago, who said that Ent has signed a three year deal with Toronto F.C.

The Columbus Crew battled Toronto F.C. this Summer a little over Bas Ent; as both TFC and Columbus invited Ent to week long trials. Nevertheless, it looks as if TFC won the battle. Ent will not be a part of the Crew's youth plan; after the other Ohio footballing club declined to re-sign veterans such as Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Frankie Hejduk.

Ent in Columbus would have been preferred for some Dutch Lion fans, who could easily make the hour trek to see former Dutch Lion player Ent play in Columbus. But, Dutch Lions fans will still get a chance to watch Bas when he visits Columbus with Toronto during the 2011 MLS season.

Ent had to say the following on his previous experience at playing at BMO Field for Toronto F.C.:

"Playing in the Toronto stadium for so many fans is the greatest moment of my career so far. I must admit I was a little bit nervous in the beginning. But that feeling was gone as soon as I first touched the ball, and right away I felt confident. I got to keep the jersey, which I will keep in a special place."

Ent better get rid of that nervousness, as it seems that Bas will be making a lot of darting runs on the wing in front of many fans in Toronto, for many years to come, as long as he seizes the opportunity.

7/22/2010: Dutch Lions Bas Ent Impresses TFC Staff & Fans

2010-07-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Dayton Dutch Lions player Bas Ent played 45 minutes for TFC in the second half of their match against the English Premier League Bolton Wanderers. Bas didn't get an abundant ammount of touches in the match, but when he had touches Ent created solid opportunities. As Ent had two solid crosses, one a screaming bullet across the Bolton box that found the path of O'Brien White but White whiffed; When White whiffed the ball found the path of TFC Academy player Nicolas Lindsay who couldn't put enough power on the ball to beat Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Ent cross was one of TFC's best opportunities of the game.

Along with the crosses, Bas had his own opportunity to go one-on-one against Jasskelainen but the refereee incorrectly called Ent offsides. Nevertheless, Bas Ent impressed TFC staff and fans alike.

TFC Coach Preki on Bas Ent's game against Bolton:

“He has some interesting abilities. I would have loved to see him with the ball a bit more.”

But, when he did have the ball, Preki said he liked what he saw.

TFC Fan Comments:

"Ent looked very good in the second half as did Mirko Medic who played up front and was also trialing."

"Ent was unlucky to not have earned an assist when OB somehow fluffed that ball four yard in front of goal. I've no idea how that one went through his legs but such is life."

"Agreed on Ent. I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch in the second half. After watching TFC struggle out wide for 4 years now, I'm thinking this is the kind of player we need."

Bas impressed Preki and Mo Johnston so much that they invited Ent to stay on an extra day for practice on Thursday, when the initial trial was supposed to only last up to last night's game. TFC reportedly also has an interest in bringing Bas back into the fold after the Dayton Dutch Lions last game this Saturday against the Chicago Fire of the PDL.

7/21/2010: Bas Ent In Toronto FC Colors

2010-07-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

7/21/2010: Live Stream- Bas Ent To Come On In Second Half

2010-07-21T17:41:00.001-07:00

7/21/2010: Watch Dayton Dutch Lions Bas Ent Live Tonight Against Bolton

2010-07-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Dayton Dutch Lions winger Bas Ent is expected to get a run out with TFC this evening against Bolton Wanderers of the EPL. Bas is likely to play 45-60 minutes in the friendly as part of a trial that started Monday with Toronto FC. Ent will be back for the Dutch Lions for their regular season finale against the Chicago Fire (PDL) on Saturday in Chicago.

To watch Bas in action tonight, click here for the live feed of the game, via Toronto FC.TV, at 7:30 p.m.

7/20/2010: NY Times- Dayton Dutch Lions Have Similiar Academy Vision To Dutch Champs Twente And Ajax (Who Are Highlighted In Following Article)

2010-07-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

Ajax Under-10's practice in their academy setting. Dutch Lions have a similiar vision for their academy in coordination with Dutch champs F.C. Twente. Read the following quotes for a better idea of the differences between the Dutch philosophy and academy setting compared to the American development of soccer players; and to envision what the Dutch Lions are attempting to create in Dayton.

Quotables from New York Times article "How A Star Is Made" by Michael Sokolove on the Dutch Academies of Ajax. A similiar setting in regard to these quotes is what the Dutch Lions want at their academy in the U.S. in partnership with top Dutch academy F.C. Twente:

In the U.S., we think of money as corrupting sport, especially youth sport. At Ajax, it is clarifying. With the stakes so high — so much invested and the potential for so much in return — De Toekomst (The Future) is a laboratory for turning young boys into high-impact performers in the world’s most popular game.

On play in the academies there:

Through age 12, they train only three times a week and play one game on the weekend. “For the young ones, we think that’s enough,” Riekerink said when we talked in his office one day. “They have a private life, a family life. We don’t want to take that from them. When they are not with us, they play on the streets. They play with their friends. Sometimes that’s more important. They have the ball at their feet without anyone telling them what to do.”

By age 15, the boys are practicing five times a week. In all age groups, training largely consists of small-sided games and drills in which players line up in various configurations, move quickly and kick the ball very hard to each other at close range. In many practice settings in the U.S., this kind of activity would be a warm-up, just to get loose, with the coach paying scant attention and maybe talking on a cellphone or chatting with parents. At the Ajax academy, these exercises — designed to maximize touches, or contact with the ball — are the main event. “You see this a lot of places,” a coach from a pro club in Norway, who was observing at Ajax, said to me. “Every program wants to maximize touches. But here it is no-nonsense, and everything is done very hard and fast. It’s the Dutch style. To the point and aggressive."

Dutch way of looking at soccer:

“Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer,” calls the Dutch approach “physical chess,” and the Dutch can be quite haughty about it. They abhor the cloying defensive tactics associated with the Italians and the boot-and-chase way the English played for years, and it has been observed that they sometimes appear more intensely interested in the artfulness of a match than in the result.

Dutch playing philosophy from former great and Dutch footballing philsopher-king Johan Cruyff:

“Don’t run so much,” he once said, meaning that players often cover lots of ground but to no effect. “You have to be in the right place at the right moment, not too early, not too late.”

Type of player and this play is adopted around the world:

Other nations and professional clubs around the world play in a manner similar to the Dutch — including, not coincidentally, Barcelona, one of the most consistently successful clubs in Europe, and where Cruyff played after leaving Ajax and then coached for eight seasons. What this type of play demands is the highest order of individual skill: players with a wizardlike ability to control the ball with either foot, any part of the foot, and work it toward the goal through cramped spaces and barely perceptible lanes.

The main difference on how U.S. players are developed compared to players in the Netherlands:

How the U.S. develops its most promising young players is not just different from what the Netherlands and most elite soccer nations do — on fundamental levels, it is diametrically opposed.

Americans like to put together teams, even at the Pee Wee level, that are meant to win. The best soccer-playing nations build individual players, ones with superior technical skills who later come together on teams the U.S. struggles to beat. In a way, it is a reversal of type. Americans tend to think of Europeans as collectivists and themselves as individualists. But in sports, it is the opposite. The Europeans build up the assets of individual players. Americans underdevelop the individual, although most of the volunteers who coach at the youngest level would not be cognizant of that.

The American approach is the more democratic view of sport. The aspirations of each member of the team are equally valid. Elsewhere, there is more comfort with singling out players for attention and individualized instruction, even at the expense of the group. David Endt, a former Ajax player and a longtime executive of the club, told me, “Here, we would rather polish one or two jewels than win games at the youth levels.”

Americans place a higher value on competition than on practice, so the balance between games and practice in the U.S. is skewed when compared with the rest of the world. It’s not unusual for a teenager in the U.S. to play 100 or more games in a season, for two or three different teams, leaving little time for training and little energy for it in the infrequent moments it occurs. A result is that the development of our best players is stunted. They tend to be fast and passionate but underskilled and lacking in savvy compared with players elsewhere. “As soon as a kid here starts playing, he’s got referees on the field and parents watching in lawn chairs,” John Hackworth, the former coach of the U.S. under-17 national team and now the youth-development coordinator for the Philadelphia franchise in Major League Soccer, told me. “As he gets older, the game count just keeps increasing. It’s counterproductive to learning and the No. 1 worst thing we do.”

College Soccer Is Often Times The Wrong Way To Develop Players

The U.S. diverges all the way to the last stages of a player’s development. In other places around the world, the late teenage years are a kind of finishing school, a period when elite players grow into their bodies, sharpen their technical ability and gain a more sophisticated understanding of game tactics. At the same time, they are engaged in a fierce competition to rise through the ranks of their clubs and reach the first team (the equivalent of being promoted from a minor-league baseball team to the big-league club).

An elite American player of that age is still likely to be playing in college, which the rest of the soccer-playing world finds bizarre. He plays a short competitive season of three or four months. If he possesses anything approaching international-level talent, he probably has no peer on his team and rarely one on an opposing squad. He may not realize it at the time, but the game, in essence, is too easy for him.

Of the 23 players chosen for the U.S. team going to the World Cup, 15 of them played at least some college soccer. Among the 8 who went straight into the professional ranks are several of the team’s most accomplished performers, including Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Tim Howard, and promising players like Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley (son of the head coach, Bob Bradley). Did they rise to the top of the American talent pool because they bypassed college? Or did they skip it because they were the rare Americans good enough as teenagers to attract legitimate professional opportunities? The answer is probably a little bit of both. But you will find no one in the soccer world who says they would have enhanced their careers by staying in school

Improvements Are Always Achievable, Nothing Should Be Left Alone Or Ignored

Ruben Jongkind, a consultant who mainly works with Dutch track athletes, was altering the posture and gait of a 15-year-old recently acquired from another Dutch club. Jongkind told me that while the boy was actually quite fast, he did not have enough range of motion in his vertical plane. “He was running like a duck, shuffling,” Jongkind said. “That takes more energy, which is why we have to change his motor patterns, so he can be as fast at the end of a game as the beginning.”

Jongkind had been working with this player for several weeks and said he had progressed to “consciously able but not subconsciously able” to run with the desired form, meaning that in the heat of competition, he reverted to his old form. I pointed out that a fast but flawed runner in the United States would likely be left alone. “Everything can be trained,” Jongkind said. “You should always try to make an improvement if it’s possible.”

Some American clubs at the MLS-level have redeveloped at top levels, but haven't done the same at the lower levels:

Efforts to change American soccer culture are largely occurring in the older age groups. Some of the most talented players are being extracted from a deeply flawed system, but only after they’ve been immersed in it for many years.

I was at the youth academy of D.C. United — one worn artificial-turf field, no locker rooms, a world away from De Toekomst — on what turned out to be a moment of triumph for one of the bedrock franchises of Major League Soccer, the top U.S. professional league. Just the day before, the team announced that it signed its best youth player to a pro contract. Andy Najar, who was 17 and immigrated with his parents from Honduras as a teenager, was inserted straight into D.C. United’s starting lineup right after dropping out of high school during his junior year. The signing drew only modest press coverage, probably a good thing for the team and an instance of pro soccer’s still-under-the-radar status in the U.S. being of benefit to the league. (The parade of players graduating from high school and jumping straight to the N.B.A. proved controversial enough that it’s no longer allowed.)

Najar is showing what picking out the best at the top levels can do (has 3 goals already on the season including one this Sunday against the LA Galaxy). Imagine what could happen with kids starting even younger with professional development:

Are American Talents Like This Missed?

As we approached the field where our 5-year-old was to play, he spotted him right away and said, “There’s the guy!”

I couldn’t tell for sure, but it seemed to me that the guy, Délano van der Heyden, born in September 2004, might actually be small even for a 5-year-old. The ball at his feet came up almost to his knees. He was “playing up,” competing against boys as old as 9. When the game started, he was exactly as advertised: remarkable. Délano kept up with the other boys, a few of whom fell on contact and had to be attended by coaches, which he never did. He showed the ability to kick with either foot. He could receive the ball with his back to his offensive end and turn, with the ball still in his control, and head toward the goal.

De Jong kept up a running commentary as we watched, becoming increasingly excited. As Délano cleverly dribbled around a bigger boy who came charging at him: “You see, they will try to physically dominate him, but he will always seek a football solution. He always has a plan.” As the concentration of other boys drifted: “He is not looking at planes in the sky; he is looking at the ball.” At halftime, as Délano conferred with his father, who was coaching his team: “You see how nicely they are talking? You can tell he comes from a good nest.” Later, after Délano weaved through three boys and blistered a shot just wide of the goal: “This is unbelievable! At this age, I’ve never seen a player like this!”

Here's a video by the New York Times on the Ajax Youth Academy.

7/20/2010: Be A Dayton Dutch Lion, Rise To The Ranks Of A Top Player

2010-07-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

The Dayton Dutch Lions Academy is nearly full with talented youngsters that will learn under the likes of Dayton Dutch Lions Head Coach Sonny Silooy, Dutch Lion players Bas Ent and Ivar van Dinteren, and Twente advisor Rene Hake. Together the Dutch Lions hope to build these youth players into talented young adults who can capture scholarships, MLS & WPS contracts, and possibly even a transfer to a European team.

There are a few openings left in the academy and there are still opportunities for a few youth players to start this adventure with the Dutch Lions. The Dutch Lions are especially interested in U10, U11 and U12 boys and U13 and U14 girls, with only a couple openings left in each. The openings will be filled as the Dutch Lions have had a good ammount of emails inquiring about the spots, DDL F.C. just wants to make sure these spots are filled with the right youth players for our system.

If you think you have what it takes, there is a final training session being organized on July 29th. For those interested email mmossel@dutchlionsfc.com.

7/19/2010: Dayton Dutch Lions Presence Made in South Africa

2010-07-19T16:16:00.000-07:00

A video made with Warner van Hattem, Dayton Dutch Lions Operations Manager for the Netherlands capital group, talking and taking in the World Cup for a video made for Japanese TV. Pretty cool that he is wearing the Dutch Lions gear out and about in South Africa. Now the Dayton Dutch Lions may pick up some fans from Tokyo to Durban:

7/19/2010: Highlights From Dutch Lions vs. Kalamazoo Outrage

2010-07-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Highlights from the game on Saturday:

7/18/2010: Wille Set To Possible Return To AGOVV Apeldoorn After Dutch Lions Season, Would Like Return To Dayton Next Season.

2010-07-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

According to VoetbalPrimeur, 22 year old Dutch Lions midfielder Julius Wille is wanted by his former club, AGOVV Apeldoorn, and may return in August to start prepping for their season. Wille scored 3 goals for the club last year and received a good ammount of minutes for the Apeldoorn club before moving to America with the Dayton Dutch Lions. According to Goal.com, Wille would be a part of a bolstering of the club, along with players Ugur Yildirim and Mike van der Kooy, as AGOVV looks to try to make their move for promotion once again in this upcoming season.

AGOVV, last season, just missed out on promotion to the Eresdivise (First Division), from the Erstedivise (Second Division), and Wille may go back to his prior club to try to get AGOVV promoted this upcoming season to Holland's premier division. Wille has played for AGOVV for the three years prior to him coming to the Dayton Dutch Lions.

Nevertheless, according to Soccernews.nl, that AGOVV return isn't etched in stone and Wille wants to return to the Dutch Lions in their 2011 season as well, which starts next April.

"I 'm in no rush. I have AGOVV alongside other options," says Wille of the Dayton Dutch Lions, who will look for playing time elsewhere while the Dutch Lions are in their offseason.

"Saturday is our last game and then I want a few days to Chicago. It's really great. Next season we will play one level higher, then we go to a serious professional level. I want to come back. I feel really at home."

7/17/2010: Bas Ent Headed On Trial To Toronto FC, May Get Minutes In Friendly Against EPL Bolton Wanderers

2010-07-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

Winger Bas Ent has stood out for the Dayton Dutch Lions with 2 goals and 6 assists in fourteen games with the PDL club. His pace and quickness, ability to get off good crosses, and overall passing ability has Ent currently being targeted by a few MLS clubs. The 22-year old Ent was first noticed by the Columbus Crew in a friendly played at the University of Dayton between the Dutch Lions and the Crew on June 19th (Ent is pictured above in that game). Ent was one of two Dutch Lion players that caught the eyes of Crew Head Coach Robert Warzycha and Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss on that day. The Crew wanted and still want to take a closer look at Ent after the Dutch Lions season, along with another Dayton Dutch Lion player.

However, by then it may be too late for the Columbus Crew to snag Ent; As Bas Ent also caught the eyes of a scout from the Columbus Crew's main rival, Toronto F.C., when the Dutch Lions went on the road to Canada recently. As the Dutch Lions took on FC London and the Toronto Lynx in PDL action and the TFC scout was at the Lynx game on July 11th. That scout was extremely impressed with Ent and contacted the Dutch Lions soon after. Then over the last week the Dutch Lions front office has been in contact with Toronto F.C. multiple times, working out travel arrangements for Ent.

Ent has an exciting few days ahead of him. He'll leave Sunday for Toronto, train Monday and Tuesday at BMO Field with the likes of Dwayne DeRosario and Julian De Guzman, then will likely be inserted in a friendly against the Bolton Wanderers at BMO Field Wednesday night. Over 22,000 TFC fans will be watching Ent's every move, as the Canadian poster club looks to bolster their squad.

The Toronto F.C. game against Bolton is part of the annual Carlsberg Cup where TFC plays a EPL team yearly for a trophy. The game will be broadcasted on GolTV at 7:30 P.M. and if Bas is expected to get a run out, check back here for a live feed in the coming days. Ent, if given a go in the game, will face off against tough defenders such as Zat Knight (below, left); Ent may also get the chance to battle against fellow Dutch footballer Mustapha Riga (below, right).

Despite the pressure, Bas Ent should have the confidence in himself to succeed. Ent has played in the Dutch top flight with FC Volendam (at the club for eight years total). Ent was also on many of the Dutch National teams at the U-17 and U-20 levels.

7/16/2010: Dutch Lions On The Red Carpet

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Dayton Dutch Lions at Mynt Martini earlier in the year:

7/16/2010: Dutch Lions Talk Of Building Stadium

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The Dayton Dutch Lions will likely build a smaller stadium (around 6,000 seats) and there stadium will be similiar to the stadiums and clubhouses in Holland. At stadiums in Holland, there are areas for parents of academy players to sit around and talk, shopping malls, businesses, and even a few of the stadiums have a night club or something else a bit different. Overall, the stadiums often times take on the appearance of a overall community.

From the Dayton Daily News:

Dayton Dutch Lions owner Mike Mossel said he and the team have been very happy at Bellbrook, but the idea of a home stadium is important for the growth of the club, from the pro teams down to the youth academy.

“That’s the ideal situation,” Mossel said. “That could help us gain more
attention, more spectators and maybe even bring in some international teams to
play. But we also are very happy with our relationship with Bellbrook, and we
look forward to playing there next season.”

Click here for the full article.

7/15/2010: Make Saturday A Day of Soccer, First 30 Supporters In The Orange Legion This Week Will Get Free Crew Tickets As Well

2010-07-15T13:36:00.001-07:00

Those who stand and chant in The Orange Legion for a full 90 this Saturday. Have an opportunity to check out both the Dutch Lions and Crew games for $6 bucks total this Saturday! If there one of the first 30 in The Orange Legion for our 1 p.m. kickoff and they get the 40% percent off ticket discount for Dutch Lions Facebook Fan Appreciation Day!

This Saturday, the Dayton Dutch Lions play their season finale against the Kalamazoo Outrage at 1 p.m. at Bellbrook's Miami Valley South Stadium. The Dutch Lions partner club, the Columbus Crew, also plays that night at 7:30 p.m. against the New York Red Bulls in a battle for Eastern Conference supremacy. In partnership with the Crew, we want residents in Columbus and Dayton to make Saturday a "Day of Soccer in Ohio" by checking out both pivotal games; as the cities are only an hour apart from each other.

As a second promotion for our season finale, the first being a Facebook Fan Appreciation discount (if your not a part of that, type "Dayton Dutch Lions" into facebook and join, then print out the discount coupon). We will be having a second promotion to hopefully pack The Orange Legion with fanatical fans for our season finale; As the first 30 fans that come over and stand and chant in The Orange Legion will also get free tickets to that night's Columbus Crew game.

Should be a good day of soccer for fans statewide.

Start the day out in the Orange Legion, end it in the Nordecke.

Mapquest for directions:

Dayton Dutch Lions Home Field- Miami Valley South Stadium:
3737 Upper Bellbrook Rd.
Bellbrook, OH 45305

Columbus Crew's Home Field- Columbus Crew Stadium:
One Black & Gold Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43211

7-13-2010: Game wraps up

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Dutch Lions up 7-nil in exhibition 80th minute

7-13-2010: 80th min of exhibition against Miami Shelby Allstars

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7-13-2010: Piqua-Dutch Lions In Game

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7-13-2010: Piqua Crowd

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7-13-2010: Starting Lineups

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7-13-2010: Dutch Lions Warmup Piqua

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7-13-2010: Piqua Exhibition Picture

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7-13-2010: Piqua Exhibition Pregame

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7/13/2010: Dutch Lions Have 33rd Best Attendance In U.S. In First Year, Beating Out A Few USL-1, USL-2 Sides

2010-07-13T12:53:00.001-07:00

The Dutch Lions, with one game remaining, have the 33rd best attendance in American soccer out of 104 teams in the top four levels of professional, American soccer. The stats were compiled here and although some lower level games are missing, there is enough games to take an accurate enough measure. The Dutch Lions are also beating 6 USL-1 (Minnesota NSC Stars, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Miami FC Blues) and USL-2 (Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Charlotte Eagles, Real Maryland Monarchs) teams. To view click on image below, for full screen picture:

7/12/2010: Dayton Dutch Lions Facebook Fan Appreciation!

2010-07-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

For Saturday's 1 P.M. showdown against Kalamazoo on July 17th, the Dutch Lions will be having a Facebook Fan Appreciation Night to Celebrate The Season. On our facebook fan page, either later today or tomorrow, there will be a 40% percent off coupon for tickets that can be printed out or presented at the gate. This is in appreciation to all of the comments, likes, and feedback from our fans on the Facebook Fan page. Go Lions!

To get in on the discount, log on to facebook and type in "Dayton Dutch Lions" and join. Then print out the coupon.

7/11/2010: No Dutch Delight; As Dutch Lions Drop Pair of Games On Trip To Canada

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F.C. London player Mike Perraria and his F.C. London teammates celebrate their second goal, in the 36th minute, of their 2-1 win over the Dutch Lions on Friday (Picture by Cam Vassallo). The night was "Kick For A Cause" night as F.C. London wears pink jersies and raises money for breast cancer annually on this weekend. For the Dutch Lions, the rest of the week wouldn't get much better; as the Lions would drop their second game as well, despite dominating the Toronto Lynx in the possession and shots department. The weekend would continue to get worse for Dutch Lions fans in Dayton and worldwide as the Netherlands came up short in their third World Cup final as well.

In London on Friday against Forest City

The Dayton Dutch Lions traveled north into Canada for a two-game trip against FC London and the Toronto Lynx, only to come up pointless, after a rough start in each of its games.

The first match at TD Waterhouse Stadium was a battle between two of the top-ranked teams in the Great Lakes Division, as Forest City London would create many early opportunities; as the Canadian side showed a lot of heart and effort coming out of the gates at their home field.

The game remained scoreless until the 22nd minute, when F.C. London striker Alan McGreal was taken down in penalty area by a DDL defender. McGreal then stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty to make the score 1-nil. F.C. London would keep the pressure on, as Mike Perraria received a Luke Holmes pass in the 36th minute and then roped the ball into the net with his right foot to make it 2-0 FC London.

The Dutch Lions came up with a few of their own opportunities in the first half, but no opportunity was threatening enough to create a goal. Therefore, at halftime, Dayton Dutch Lions Head Coach Sonny Silooy had to address the lack of legitimate scoring opportunities, as well as the lack of pressure on the ball when F.C. London had possession. Silooy looked to change these issues by changing the shape of the Dutch Lions and this paid dividends as the Dutch Lions would fully control possession and play in the second half.

These changes would eventually lead to a Dutch Lions comeback in the second half, sparked by DDL F.C. midfielder Andrew Giallombardo who made a tricky move and then slotted the ball home in the 58th minute, cutting the deficit in half, 2-1 FC London.

The Dutch Lions attacked the last 30 minutes, pushing the London-based team deep into their own defensive third. This pressure finally led to a chance to equalize in the 89th minute when a hustling Steven McCarthy, just on five minutes prior as a sub, had a perfect chance from 5 yards away to tap in the equalizer. However, McCarthy’s redirection would sail over the crossbar.

The Dutch Lions couldn’t get the equalizer, and would leave for Toronto with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at hand. The result would put the Dutch Lions five points behind F.C. London, with only three games remaining on the PDL season.

In Toronto on Saturday against the Lynx

Just 36 hours after a 2-1 defeat against F.C. London on Friday, the Dayton Dutch Lions had to pick themselves up to gain a vital three points against a weaker Toronto Lynx side on Sunday. On a blistering hot afternoon, the Dutch Lions kicked off a noon affair against Toronto, with their minds still half on Friday night’s disappointing result against Forest City and one eye on the Netherlands World Cup final later in the day. The Dutch Lions would have the majority of the possession and chances in this game, but the Lynx would steal the game slotting in two goals on a total of three opportunities all game. The Dutch Lions couldn’t find any sort of reply to the Lynx’s fortuitous goals, keeping the ball on their feet for too long in Arjen Robben fashion; leading to, after 90 minutes, a 2-nil shock victory for the Toronto Lynx over the Dutch Lions.

The Dutch Lions held 70 percent of the possession throughout the entirety of the game, with an unofficial 15-4 shot advantage in the match. But, the Lynx would find an early score that might of took the wind out of the Lions sails; As in the 20th minute, Lynx midfielder Jean Tshimpaka stole the ball on a defensive lapse by the Dutch Lions and slotted a shot past the diving Oscar Moens to make it 1-nil Toronto.

With a 1-0 deficit at the halftime break, the Dutch Lions would recharge, make some switches tactically, and come out pressing the Lynx with an even greater attack. This led to results in the 55th minute, as Dutch Lions winger George Davis IV’s technically, acute dribbling would frustrate the Lynx defenders; who would chop down Davis right outside the box resulting in a free kick. Julius Wille would step up confidently to take the free kick, hitting the upper 90 bar in the process for a Lynx goalkick. The Dutch Lions could not believe their luck, hands on their heads, but would keep on pressing.

In the 60th minute, this pressure would lead to another opportunity, as Julius Wille served a beautiful corner kick to Hans van de Haar who chested it to the onrushing Kyle Segebart; Segebart placed it near side net for the tying goal, but the referee called a hand ball on van de Haar.

Just four minutes later, in the 64th minute, van de Haar laid the ball back to Johan Wigger. Wigger stepped up and shot a rocket to the left post, but just missed wide by a foot. Then moments later, defender Kyle Segebart, took the offense into his own hands with a second opportunity to level the game; as Segebart headed a Wille corner just inches wide of the crossbar. DDL continued searching for their elusive first goal on the day.

In the 70th minute, two non-calls by the center official continued to frustrate the Dutch Lions. As Julius Wille had a clear opportunity to put a full-volley on target from 14 yards away. But, as Wille turned to kick he was taken down in the box, losing his chance to put his rocket strike onto the Toronto net as play continued.

The Dutch Lions wouldn’t bother keeping their minds on the referee’s decision for too long, as substitutes Jeff Popella and Steven McCaarthy would both come in and create solid opportunities. Popella would cut into the middle of the field and rip a momentous volley that sailed just high. McCarthy with consistent pressure up top in the final 15 minutes would create three opportunities as well.

However, as it goes in soccer, when a team does not convert their chances, that team opens themselves up for a surprise goal against the run of play. This was the story on the Dutch Lions day, as the Lynx would find their security goal in the 82nd minute by Tshimpaka on the counterattack. Adding salt to the wound, moments later, DDL’s Giallombardo would receive a very questionable red card on a non-contact fall to the pitch.

As the whistle blew, there would be no Dutch Lion delight on the day for DDL F.C.; As the Dutch Lions left Canada with zero points, when the squad needed to pick up a full six points on the road trip to secure the top spot in the division. Instead, now the Dutch Lions (23 points) find themselves, with two games left, five points back of F.C. London (28 points) and three points back of the Michigan Bucks (26 points). To make matters worse, the other Dutch Lions (the Netherlands national team) would have their hopes crushed as well three hours later; as the Dayton Dutch Lions players watched from their hotel in Toronto.

The Dutch Lions two remaining games on the season are against Kalamazoo (at home) and Chicago (away). The Lions must win these two games and look for a little help to receive a playoff bid. DDL will play an exhibition match this Tuesday at 7pm in Piqua, Ohio before hosting the Kalamazoo Outrage at its home season finale on July 17th at 1 p.m.

7/9/2010: Crew Looking At Two Dutch Lion Players, TFC Scouting On Sunday

2010-07-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Ent is one of two players the Crew will bring in for a closer look after the Dutch Lions season.

According to the Columbus Dispatch's Bob Hunter, the Columbus Crew, MLS's top side, are going to bring in two Dayton Dutch Lions players for a closer look:

The Crew has an informal relationship with the Dayton Dutch Lions that is starting to pay dividends.

The Crew played an exhibition with the semipro team from the fourth-tier Premier Development League last month, and the Crew identified two players it wants to bring in for a closer look.

The Dutch Lions, owned by a group from the Netherlands, have plans to form a player development academy.

One of these players is Bas Ent, who has been on great form for the Dutch Lions with 6 assists and 2 goals in 12 games. Ent had an assist and a goal in the Dutch Lions 2-1 victory over the Michigan Bucks this weekend.

**Toronto FC will also be taking a sniff around the Dutch Lions roster. As TFC's top scout will be at the Dayton Dutch Lions game this Sunday in Toronto against the Toronto Lynx.

7/8/2010: Video- Dayton Dutch Lions Highlights [Produced And Filmed By Erratic TV]

2010-07-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Dayton Dutch Lions highlight video with goals, celebrations, interactions in autograph alley, and more. This highlight reel was shown at the Dutch Lions recent, press conference announcing their promotion to USL's Pro Championship Division (formerly USL-2), as well as their addition of a women's professional team in the USL's W-League. For more information check out, http://www.dutchlionsfc.com, and check us out on facebook by typing in Dayton Dutch Lions. Video produced by Erratic TV, check them out at http://www.erratictv.com or by typing in Erratic TV on facebook.

Dayton Dutch Lions Highlights [Filmed & Produced By Erratic TV]

Interested in even more highlights check out the following video as well:

More mixtapes, highlights, and other videos will be up on Erratic TV as well as here at the Orange Legionnaire straight from the Dutch Lions media department, and elsewhere in the coming weeks.

7/8/2010: Video- Dutch Lions Press Conference

2010-07-08T14:35:00.001-07:00

Miss the live press conference at 11:30 a.m? Check it out here (fast forward to 3:30 to get past the highlights in the beginning):

7-8-2010: Dutch Lions Press Conference

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7-8-2010: Photo from Press Conference

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7-8-2010: Press Conference Pictures

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7-8-2010: Press Conference Pictures

2010-07-08T08:03:00.001-07:00

7/7/2010: Exciting Live Press Conference Tomorrow

2010-07-07T09:20:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow, on July 8th, 2010, the Dutch Lions will make some exciting announcements in a press conference. Local media has been invited to the press conference and the entire press conference will be live on USL Live at 11:30 a.m! The USL Live link can be found here. The actual link or an embedded player will possibly be on the Dutch Lions main website and this blog.

7/6/2010: Netherlands Headed To World Cup Final!

2010-07-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Dayton Dutch Lion players and fans watch on at The Dublin Pub in Dayton, Ohio; as the Netherlands took on Uruguay in the World Cup Semifinals. The Netherlands won 3-2 and now await either Germany or Spain in the final. Hup Holland!

7/6/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Michigan Bucks Highlights

2010-07-06T06:57:00.001-07:00

Highlights from the 2-1 win by the Michigan Bucks:

7/5/2010: Dutch Lions To Play Exhibition Match Against Miami Shelby All-Stars on July 13th!

2010-07-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Players and alma-mater from Piqua, Troy, and Sydney High Schools will face off against the Dayton Dutch Lions at Wertz Stadium in Piqua, Ohio on Tuesday, July 13th at 7:00 p.m.. The match kicks off an annual exhibition between the Dutch Lions and these high schools. This match will also be a nice tune up for the Dutch Lions in preparation for their last regular season, home game on July 17th at 1 p.m. against Kalamazoo.

The Dutch Lions are playing in the exhibition as part of an excellent relationship that the Lions have built with the Piqua Indians Soccer Association (P.I.S.A); as well as to spread their quality brand of Dutch footie to soccer fans in Northern Dayton (as these fans may not be able to come out and view as many regular season games).

Owner Mike Mossel explains in further detail:

"So far we have had great feedback from the Southern part of Dayton concerning our games and our players. Of course this has to do with the fact that we play our home games in Bellbrook. However, we noticed a lot of people in the Northern part are not that familiar with us yet. So when Wil Benson from Piqua Indians Soccer Association asked me if I was interested in getting soccer people from the Piqua region more aware and involved, I immediately said yes."

The Dutch Lions are also excited to play at Wertz Stadium in this exhibition, as it's a nice facility as well.

Wil Benson, PISA President, had the following to say on the game:

“I want to promote soccer as much as possible, and I think this is a great family event for our community and Miami County. This is an opportunity to see soccer at a higher level and make a long time relationship with the Dayton Dutch Soccer Family. We want to build support for soccer in general and in the long run, we hope people will go and support the Dayton Dutch Team.”

7/5/2010: Watch Netherlands Vs. Uruguay With Your Dutch Lions At The Dublin Pub!

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Come out to The Dublin Pub at 300 Wayne Avenue in Dayton, Ohio at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 6th and Wednesday, July 7th to celebrate and watch the World Cup Semifinals with your Dayton Dutch Lions! The matchups are full of intrigue for soccer fans as well as the Dutch Lions; as the Dutch contingent of the Dutch Lions team will be cheering on their countrymen who face off against Uruguay tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.. Then on Wednesday, the Dutch Lions will be in attendance to hopefully see who the Netherlands will face off against in the World Cup final, either Spain or Germany.

Will it be 1974 all over again with a Germany vs. Netherlands final (with hopefully a different result)? Find out with the Dutch Lions this week! Watch the action and share a beer with them this Tuesday and Wednesday at the Dublin Pub!

7/2/2010: Netherlands vs. Brazil Highlights

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Go all Dutch Lions:

7/2/2010: Preview Of Dutch Lions vs. Michigan Bucks

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Carbon Copy: Dutch Lions and Michigan Bucks both come into this game with 20 points, winner takes closer step to PDL playoffs and Great Lakes Division title.

The Dayton Dutch Lions (5-1-5, 20 points) enter this game looking to extend their winning streak to two straight games as they face off against the Michigan Bucks (6-2-2, 20 points) with the divisional title and PDL playoffs at stake. The Dutch Lions will feel confident going into this contest; as the Dutch Lions defeated the Michigan Bucks in late May at the Bucks indoor facility. Further, the Dutch Lions come off one of their best weeks with two solid performances against the Cincinnati Kings and Chicago Fire.

The Michigan Bucks are also in the title and PDL playoff hunt. However, the Bucks were only able to get a tie last night against Forest City London (6-1-3, 21 points), another contender, which narrows the race for the Great Lakes Division title even more so; as neither the Bucks or Forest City London could capture a vital three points.

The Dutch Lions and Michigan Bucks both need wins, not ties. The Dutch Lions will be bolstered by the return of Bret Jones and Johan Wigger who will likely start for the first time in months. The return of these two pivotal players will hopefully offset the loss of Geert den Ouden. Further, Dutch Lions Head Coach Sonny Silooy is confident that Hans van de Haar can fill in at Geert's position.

Here is what Sonny is looking for in this game:
"We know how dangerous the Michigan Bucks are. But, we'll play our same system. We'll play offensive. But, we'll play a little bit smarter than we did in the beginning of the season. And I hope we can play like the Cincinnati and Chicago games, and that's also good for the spectators."

Defensive midfielder Johan Wigger is raring for his first start since injury:
"I told Sonny when I came back from Holland, I wanted to play every match despite any sort of injury. First game back I had an injury. But, I'm ready to go now. I want to play, I always want to play."

Every game for the Dutch Lions is pivotal from here on in and the Dutch Lions will be looking for their fan support once again. The Dutch Lions are looking to celebrate "Orange, White, and Blue" on July 3rd at 7:30 p.m. with you before the "Red, White, and Blue" Independence day festivities on July 4th. Please be there to cheer loud and to back the Dutch Lions.

Go Lions!

7/1/2010: Video- Dutch Lions Practice Report & Preview Of Michigan Bucks Game

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Video from practice today:

7-1-2010: Practice Pics Before Bucks

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Video coming up shortly

7-1-2010: Practice Pics Before Bucks Game

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Video upcoming later in day as well.

7-1-2010: Practice Pics Before Bucks

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6/29/2010: Hunt For The Playoffs (Part 2)- Great Lakes Division Remaining Schedule

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From what I have on previous results I would expect the Dutch Lions and Forest City London to take the two playoff spots, with Forest City slightly edging out the Dutch Lions for the Great Lakes title unless the Lions get some help-

Dayton Dutch Lions Remaining Schedule:

Schedule/ Chance of winning/ Homefield/ previous result/ Guess of score
Michigan at Dayton/ 50-50/ +/ 1-0 Dayton/ 2-1 Dayton
Dayton at London/ 50-50/ - / 0-0 Tie/ 1-1 Tie
Dayton at Toronto/ 90-10/ -/ 2-0 Dayton/ 3-0 Dayton
Kalamazoo at Dayton/ 90-10/ +/ 4-0 Dayton/ 4-0 Dayton
Dayton at Chicago/ 60-40/ -/ 2-1 Dayton/ 1-0 Dayton

33 points

Chicago Fire PDL Remaining Schedule:

Schedule/ Chance of winning/ Homefield/ previous result/ Guess of score
London at Chicago/ 50-50/ +/ 1-0 Chicago/ 2-0 Chicago
Chicago at Michigan/ 50-50/ -/ 2-1 Chicago/ 1-1 Tie
Indiana at Chicago/ 60-40/ +/ 1-0 Chicago/ 2-0 Chicago
Cleveland at Chicago/ 70-30/ +/ 1-1 Tie/ 2-1 Chicago
Dayton at Chicago/ 40-60/ +/ 2-1 Dayton/ 1-0 Dayton

32 points

Michigan Bucks Remaining Schedule:

Schedule/ Chance of winning/ Homefield/ previous result/ Guess of score
Michigan at London/ 50-50/ -/ 2-2 Tie/ 1-0 London
Michigan at Dayton/ 50-50/ -/ 1-0 Dayton/ 2-1 Dayton
Michigan at Cincinnati/ 60-40/ -/ 2-1 Michigan/ 1-0 Michigan
Chicago at Michigan/ 50-50/ -/ 2-1 Chicago/ 1-1 Tie
Toronto at Michigan/ 80-20/ +/ None/ 3-0 Michigan
Michigan at Toronto/ 70-30/ -/ None/ 1-0 Michigan
Michigan at Indiana/ 60-40/ -/ 3-2 Michigan/ 1-1 Tie

30 points

Forest City London Remaining Schedule:

Schedule/ Chance of winning/ Homefield/ previous result/ Guess of score

Michigan at London/ 50-50/ +/ 2-2 Tie/ 1-0 London
London at Chicago/ 50-50/ -/ 1-0 Chicago/ 2-0 Chicago
London at Indiana/ 60-40/ -/ 6-1 London/ 4-0 London
Dayton at London/ 50-50/ +/ 0-0 Tie/ 1-1 Tie
Cincinnati at London/ 60-40/ +/ 3-2 London/ 2-0 London
Kalamazoo at London/ 75-25/ +/ 5-1 London/ 3-0 London
Cleveland at London/ 60-40/ +/ 2-0 London/ 3-0 London

36 points

Indiana Invaders

Schedule/ Chance of winning/ Homefield/ previous result/ Guess of score

Indiana at Cleveland/ 60-40/ -/ none/ 2-1 Indiana
London at Indiana/ 40-60/ +/ 6-1 Indiana/ 4-0 Indiana
Indiana at Kalamazoo/ 60-40/ -/ 2-1 Indiana/ 1-0 Indiana
Indiana at Chicago/ 60-40/ +/ 1-0 Chicago/ 2-0 Chicago
Cleveland at Indiana/ 60-40/ +/ 2-1 Indiana/ 2-0 Indiana
Cincinnati at Indiana/ 50-50/ +/ 2-1 Indiana/ 1-0 Indiana
Michigan at Indiana/40-60/ +/ 3-2 Michigan/ 1-0 Michigan

31 Points

6/28/2010: Hunt For Playoffs (Part 1)- Winning Out May Be Only Strategy For Dutch Lions In Last Five Games

2010-06-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Dutch Lions George Davis IV kicked the Dutch Lions into contention for a Great Lakes Division title with his 89th minute game winner over the Chicago Fire on Saturday. But, where exactly do the Dutch Lions stand down the stretch?

6/28/2010: Hunt For Playoffs (Part 1)- Winning Out May Be Only Strategy For Dutch Lions In Last Five Games
By Ryan Kozlowski

Too many ties.. Have the Dutch Lions under pressure to win out. As the Indiana Invaders, Forest City London, and the Michigan Bucks are all only a point to four points behind the Dutch Lions, while each team have 7 or 8 games left on the table compared to the Dutch Lions 5 games. Luckily, for the Lions they'll have a chance to take points off of the Michigan Bucks and Forest City London in their next two games; As the Dutch Lions play both of those two clubs consecutively on this Saturday and the Friday after. Those two games will be pivotal, in similiarity to the Fire game this previous Saturday, as the games have been do or die every week for the Dutch Lions since then.

The Dutch Lions need wins to keep Forest City London especially at bay. Forest City have 3 more games (9 more points) on the table compared to the Dutch Lions; while Forest City are currently only three points behind the Dutch Lions. If Forest City London were to win out they would have 41 points. In comparison, if the Dutch Lions were to win out the Lions would only have 35 points. However, the Dutch Lions have one head-to-head with Forest City, where if the Dutch Lions were to win, F.C. London could only gain 38 points on the season. Still not enough to pass Forest City London in the final standings without some help.

The Chicago Fire are currently two points ahead of the Dutch Lions and have played the same ammount of games. Therefore, if Chicago were to win out they could gain a total of 37 points. But, the Dutch Lions have a head-to-head matchup left against the Chicago Fire to end the season and the Lions will feel confident going into Toyota Park with a 2-1 victory already under their belts against the Fire. If the Dutch Lions would beat the Chicago Fire in the season finale, the Dutch Lions would have 35 points on the season compared to the Fire's 34 points. The Dutch Lions control their own destiny against the Fire.

The Michigan Bucks are currently one point behind the Dutch Lions with two games in hand. If the Michigan Bucks were to win out they would have 40 points on the season. However, the Dutch Lions once again have a head-to-head against the Michigan Bucks at home and will feel confident with already one, 1-nil win on the road against the Bucks. If the Dutch Lions win the head-to-head, the Bucks could then only gain 37 points on the season. But, this would still best the Dutch Lions 35 points. The Dutch Lions will need some extra help to overcome the Michigan Bucks.

The Indiana Invaders are currently four points behind the Dutch Lions with two games in hand. The Invaders, if they win out, could finish the season with 37 points and the Dutch Lions have no more games to contest against the Invaders this season. But, with one loss in the Invaders last seven games the Dutch Lions would best the Indiana Invaders with 35 points compared to the Invaders 34 points.

Possible Points For Contenders
Forest City London- 41 pts
Michigan Bucks- 40 pts
Indiana Invaders- 37 pts
Chicago Fire- 37 pts
Dayton Dutch Lions- 35 pts

Possible Points For Contenders If They Win Out Except For Dutch Lions Remaining Head-To-Heads
Forest City London- 38 pts
Michigan Bucks- 37 pts
Indiana Invaders- 37 pts
Dayton Dutch Lions- 35 pts
Chicago Fire- 34 pts

Possible Points For Contenders If They Lose Head-To-Head Against Dutch Lions, Lose One More, and Dutch Lions Win Out
Dayton Dutch Lions- 35 pts
Forest City London-35 pts
Michigan Bucks- 34 pts
Indiana Invaders- 34 pts
Chicago Fire- 31 pts

Tomorrow in Part 2 will take a look at each of these team's remaining schedule and figure out, dependent on who each team plays, who has the best chance to win the division and which couple of teams have a shot at making the playoffs.

6/28/2010: Dayton Dutch Lions Bar Louie Event

2010-06-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Come out to Bar Louie tomorrow, this Tuesday, to have a $1 dollar burger as well as Budweiser specials with the Dayton Dutch Lions & Dayton Bud Girls! Budweiser is the official beer of the Dayton Dutch Lions and the Dayton Bud Girls will be there to pass out promotional items. The Dutch Lions staff will also be giving out posters and will have a raffle for two free tickets!

This is the Dayton Bud Girls (pictured at events around Dayton below) second out of three events with the Dayton Dutch Lions, stay tuned for details on the third event.

6/27/2010: Den Ouden Leaves On Personal Matters, Untimely Considering den Ouden's Recent Success

2010-06-27T20:27:00.001-07:00

Den Ouden leaves the Dutch Lions with 8 goals in 10 games, an emotional exit for the 33 year old target striker.

Before this week, the Dutch Lions attack was a bit stagnant; as striker Geert den Ouden could only seem to find the net through PK's in the previous two weeks. While the midfield could not connect with the lengthy, talented striker.

However, in this week leading up to Geert den Ouden's exit for family matters, the lengthy 33 year old striker seemed to come alive for the Dutch Lions and the connection with midfield service was regained. What this led to in Geert's final week with the club was some thrilling link up play between Geert den Ouden and his wingers; as den Ouden played some excellent pass and move soccer with both wingers, the Dutch Bas Ent and the American George Davis IV, in both the Cincinnati Kings and Chicago Fire games from this previous week.

What Geert den Ouden left the Dutch Lions with in his final two regular season games was three goals from the run of play and a heads up assist that led to the game winner against the Chicago Fire. The game winner was the difference between keeping the Dutch Lions alive for a Great Lakes Division title this year and putting off trophy talk for next year.

Therefore, the timing of den Ouden's departure is cruel for both den Ouden, his teammates, and Dutch Lion fans. As the Dutch Lions appear to be once again clicking in the attack, and their vital chess piece must go. What goes with him is 8 goals in 10 games, which is good enough for third place currently on the PDL scoring charts out of 70 PDL teams! To put this more into perspective, eight goals puts den Ouden in third place on the scoring charts out of over 250 PDL strikers. Not so shabby, and not so easy to replace.

When showing den Ouden's hustle goals in the Cincinnati Kings game to FC Twente Advisor Rene Hake, Hake said, "Those are typical Geert goals." And, Geert was back to his typical self, and quite possibly nearing his Excelsior and ADO Den Haag type days of form with the Dutch Lions. So, it will be a tough task for the Dutch Lions to replace den Ouden (who could be back possibly in time for the PDL playoffs if the Dutch Lions are to make it that far). However, an emotional exit in the 90th minute from den Ouden, who appeared very emotional leaving the game, leaves a return this season likely up in the air.

The Dutch Lions will therefore have to look to resurging Ivar van Dinteren, or the Americans Steven McCarthy and Jeff Popella to fill the void. Or the Dutch Lions could place Hans van de Haar back at forward (who usually has played a defensive distrubutor role with the Lions this year before being injured); that's if van de Haar can come back from an injury that he suffered against the Rochester Rhinos in U.S. Open Cup. Van de Haar has been a striker at multiple Eredivise clubs.

However, no matter what player fills the striking shoes it will be very difficult for the Dutch Lions to replace den Ouden and his 8 goals in 10 games.

Head Coach Sonny Silooy had the following to say:
“We shall miss him. Geert is a good person. But private matters come first. We are human beings.”

We wish you luck den Ouden. Hopefully, whatever the family matter, it works itself out and you can lead the Dutch Lions to glory in the playoffs and in upcoming seasons.

den Ouden's departure in the news:
Parting Gift From Dutch Lions Striker Leads To Victory from Dayton Daily News writer David DiCenzo

6/27/2010: Dayton Dutch Lions vs. Chicago Fire Highlights

2010-06-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Highlights from the Dutch Lions 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire:

6/26/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Chicago Fire Preview

2010-06-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Dayton Dutch Lions will play a crucial game tomorrow against the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. in the Lions den (Bellbrook's Miami Valley South Stadium). The game will be a six point swing, win and the Lions will only be two points back of the Chicago Fire, who currently are leading the Great Lakes Division; Lose and the Lions will be eight points back, with only 15 points left on their schedule. Thus, a loss tomorrow will make it nearly impossible for the Dutch Lions to win their Great Lakes Division. A win and the Dutch Lions will move into second place putting themselves in a position to be breathing down the necks of the Fire. The pressure is on.

The Chicago Fire come into this matchup on a three game winning streak and looking for a decisive fourth. The Fire most recently pulled off a big 1-0 win in Ontario against Forest City London and followed that up with a 5-0 drubbing of Toronto earlier this week.

The Dutch Lions have not been as lucky of late in league play with two ties in their last two league games, both 2-2 results against Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Tonight's game is Mascot Night and will feature Dayton Gems mascot Blade and the Dayton Fliers mascot Rudy. Those that get their hands on a Warriors Classic Tournament flier, with a $3 dollar discount in the flier, will receive $3 bucks off of tonight's game. Go Lions!

6/24/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Cincinnati Kings Highlights

2010-06-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Highlights from the Dutch Lions unlucky 2-2 tie with the Cincinnati Kings:

6/24/2010: Dayton Says Bring On Ghana

2010-06-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

6/24/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Cincinnati Kings Review- Luck Draw For Cincinnati Kings As Dutch Lions Command Game

2010-06-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

The crowd at the Cincinnati Kings game was 75% percent Dutch Lions to cheer on the boys, the Dutch Lions played their best 60 minutes of soccer to date as a gift for the support.

6/24/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Cincinnati Kings Review- Luck Draw For Cincinnati Kings As Dutch Lions Command Game
By Ryan Kozlowski

There's a saying in soccer that would ring true for tonight's Dutch Lions match: "It's sometimes better to be lucky than good."

The Dayton Dutch Lions (4-1-5) came into Cincinnati (5-4-2) tonight looking for a much needed three points. Three points would've helped the Dutch Lions chase down the Chicago Fire PDL squad, who currently lead the Great Lakes Division on 22 points at a 7-2-1 record. For the first 70 minutes the three points looked like a forgone conclusion for the Dutch Lions; as the Dutch Lions went up 2-0 by the 54th minute off of two superb goals from Geert den Ouden. The Lions controlled the tempo, the ball, and played smart defense for nearly the entire game. The Lions would also go close to making it 3-nil multiple times over the next ten minutes after their second score. But, in the last 25 minutes the Dutch Lions had to make a few substitutions and the game got a bit heated at times leading to a little loss in concentration. This loss of concentration, in turn led to Cincinnati creating two half-chances that surprisingly led to the ball in the back of the Dutch Lions net twice for a frustrating 2-2 tie.

The result left the Dutch Lions shaking their heads, as the first 65 minutes of tonight's game against the Cincinnati Kings was hands down the best minutes that the Dutch Lions played as a team all season. The Dutch Lions looked like champions against boys (as you'll see in the highlights upcoming).

The chances started early and often for the Lions. And, their good, composed possession led to a beautiful chance for Geert den Ouden in the 13th minute. As den Ouden took a touch off a nice pass and then scooted past a Kings
defender. Geert den Ouden's move also took the Kings keeper out of position and den Ouden slotted the ball home, 1-0 Dutch Lions 13th minute.

The Dutch Lions continued to take most of the possession and continued to pound the Kings over the next 15 minutes with many chances as the Kings couldn't deal with the Dutch Lion wing play. Around the 30th minute, Dutch Lion winger George Davis gave the Kings trouble that led to two free kicks near the penalty area for Julius Wille to try to cross in successfully. The Dutch Lions failed to convert these. But, for the rest of the first half opposite side winger Bas Ent gave the Kings a lot of difficulty as well. This led to a golden opportunity in the 40th minute, as Bas Ent juked two Kings defenders and found his way free into the Kings penalty area. Bas then chipped the keeper and just barely missed as his cheeky flick just rolled right of the post. A minute later Geert barely missed a similiar chance.

On the Kings side of the attack they would have to wait until the 44th minute for their first real chance. The Dutch Lions would go into the locker room unamused at their missed opportunities as the Lions should've been up 3-nil at this point, but luck wasn't on the Lions side in this Wednesday night fixture.

Nevertheless, the Dutch Lions did not get down on their missed opportunities and kept coming in the second half with wave upon waves of attack. This would lead to another goal in the 54th minute as a beautiful chip by George Davis found Geert den Ouden's foot in stride and Geert beautifully slotted it home.

The Dutch Lions looked full of confidence at this point up 2-nil and in total command of the Kings. Looking for the dagger in the Kings heart the Dutch Lions poured on the opportunities. As in the 57th minute, the Dutch Lions had a great chance to go 3-0 up as a Bas Ent cross found the head of Geert den Ouden but did not go in.

In the 60th minute, Bas Ent pulled his own number working his way in the box from the left side and striking a low shot with no angle at the keeper. Bas's shot would ping pong against each of the goalposts before flying out (Bas's cross may have crossed the line, check the highlights later). Then Bas, a few minutes later passed a ball that found the foot of Ivar van Dinteren who hit it and was denied by an excellent, goalline block save by the keeper. In the 66th minute yet another cross by Bas Ent found the head of Eddie Hertsenberg who was denied again by the Kings keeper who made an acrobatic save.

Certainly the Dutch Lions were just moments away from breaking this one open. But, luck was on the Cincinnati Kings side, and so was deja vu (if you remember the Dutch Lions first meeting against the Kings where they were up 3-1 and in command late just to end up with a 3-3 tie in the end). As in the 70th minute, against the run of play, the Kings got their breakthrough on the cornerkick as a half-header made it 2-1 for the home side.

The Dutch Lions would shake it off as a fluke goal and get back to work with a couple more opportunities to put the game away at 3-1. As the Lions would have a couple more close up free kicks, followed by a George Davis pass that rolled helplessly across the six yard box with no recipent on the end of the opportunity.

With the clock ticking down, it felt as if the Cincinnati Kings didn't have it in them to salvage yet another point against the Dutch Lions. But, not so fast, as in the 86th minute, the Kings would pull off their second comeback in two games against the Dutch Lions. As a nice move by a Kings forward made the Dutch Lions defense scramble. This move was followed by a nice chip, similar to George Davis's from the week prior, that made it 2-2 as the Dutch Lions would go home with one point instead of a pivotal three.

The loss of the two points late makes the Dutch Lions matchup at home against the Chicago Fire this weekend absolutely pivotal. The game against the Chicago Fire will be basically a six point swing. The Dutch Lions will need to look to beat the Fire twice to try to get back to first place. The Dutch Lions have six regular season games to go, be there to cheer them on starting this Saturday at Bellbrook's Miami Valley South Stadium at 7:30 p.m. as the Dutch Lions race towards the playoffs! If the Lions can play the first 65 minutes they played tonight, for 90 minutes, the Dutch Lions still have a good bet to accomplish their main goal of a PDL Championship this season.

Highlights will be upcoming tomorrow morning.

6-23-2010: 2nd Half Recap vs. Kings

2010-06-23T18:46:00.001-07:00

Dutch Lions looked on their way to a sure victory up 2-0 in 54th minute as a beautiful chip by George Davis found Geert den Ouden who beautifully slotted it home.

57th minute the Dutch Lions had a great chance to go 3-0 up as a Bas Ent cross found the head of Geert den Ouden but did not go in.

In the 60th minute, another Bas Ent cross back 12 yards out found the foot of Ivar van Dinteren who hit it and was denied by a goalline block save by the keeper.

In the 66th minute yet another cross by Bas Ent found the head of Eddie Hertsenberg who was denied again by the Kings keeper who made an acrobatic save.

In the 70th minute against the run of play the Kings got their breakthrough on the cornerkick as a half-header made it 2-1.

The Dutch Lions would get a couple more opportunities to put the game away at 3-1 with a couple close up free kicks and a George Davis cross that couldn't find anyone around the six as it rolled across.

In the 86th the Kings would pull off their second comeback in two games against the Dutch Lions as a nice move brought the Dutch Lions defense to the ground and a nice chip similar to George Davis's the week before made it 2-2 as the Dutch Lions lose pivotal points.

2-1 Kings score 70th min

2010-06-23T18:01:00.001-07:00

Two goalline blocks for Kings

2010-06-23T17:52:00.001-07:00

2-0 Dutch Lions den Ouden 54th minute

2010-06-23T17:47:00.001-07:00

6-23-2010: Dutch Lions vs. Cincinnati Kings

2010-06-23T17:36:00.001-07:00

The Dutch Lions looked much improved in this first half against the Cincinnati Kings down in Cincinnati.

Good, composed possession led to a beautiful chance for Geert den Ouden in the 13th minute who took a touch and then scooted past the Kings
defender. The Kings keeper was also out of position and den Ouden slotted the ball home, 1-0 Dutch Lions 13th minute.

The Dutch Lions continued to take most of the possession and received many chances over the next 15 minutes. Dutch Lion winger George Davis gave the Kings trouble around the 25th minute receiving two free kicks for Julius Will to try to cross in.

For the rest of the first half other winger Bas Ent gave the Kings a lot of trouble. This led to a golden oppt. In the 40th minute that Bas just barely missed. A minute later Geert barely missed a chance.

Kings had to wait until the 44th minute for their first real chance. Dutch Lions 1-0 at half

6/23/2010: Watch World Cup Games At The Dublin Pub With The Dayton Dutch Lions!

2010-06-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Come join the Dutch Lions as they watch the Netherlands vs. Cameroon game tomorrow on June 24th at the Dublin Pub at 2:30 p.m.! The American players on the Dutch Lions club are already happy to see their national team advance today and the Netherlands have already advanced and look to seal the top spot in their group tomorrow. So, come out and celebrate with the Dayton Dutch Lions!

We hope to see you tomorrow but if you can't make it or if you can, please join us for the later rounds as the Dutch Lions will be at the Dublin Pub again on July 6th and July 7th both at 2:30 P.M.!

DUTCH LION EVENTS AT DUBLIN PUB:
June 24th at 2:30 P.M.
July 6th at 2:30 P.M.
July 7th at 2:30 P.M.

MAPQUEST THE DIRECTIONS FROM YOUR HOUSE:
300 Wayne Avenue
Dayton, OH 45410

6/22/2010: Chicago Fire Game Is Mascot Night

2010-06-22T14:01:00.001-07:00

6/22/2010: Dutch Lions Season Mixtape 1 Video

2010-06-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

I'm going to make a few mixtapes, here is one that I made last night:

6/21/2010: ABC News 22 Story On Dutch Lions vs. Crew

2010-06-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to the ABC News 22 story on the Dutch Lions vs. Columbus Crew, including highlights. Click here for the link.

6/21/2010: Highlights- Minute Review: Dayton Dutch Lions vs. Columbus Crew

2010-06-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Some highlights from the Dayton Dutch Lions "Battle of Ohio" showdown against the Columbus Crew at University of Dayton's Baujan Field. The Crew won the game 3-0 off of goals from Steven Lenhart, Eddie Gaven, and Jason Garey. A more extended and professional highlight should be up later in the week in association with Erratic Media Group for this game:

6/21/2010: Excellent Pictures From U.S. Open Cup Debut Against Rochester

2010-06-21T05:39:00.000-07:00

Here are some good pictures from the Dutch Lions debut in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup taken by a Rochester journalist:

6/20/2010: Dutch Lions Downed By Crew's Quality, Lose 3-0 At Baujan

2010-06-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Dutch Lions midfielder Julius Wille battles with Crew's French midfielder Leandre Griffit in the first Battle of Ohio (Picture by Sam Fahmi, Massive Report)

6/20/2010: Dutch Lions Downed By Crew's Quality, Lose 3-0 At Baujan
By Ryan Kozlowski

The two professional soccer teams in all of Ohio, Columbus Crew at the MLS level and the Dayton Dutch Lions at the PDL PRO level, met this Saturday at Baujan Field. The crowd at Baujan was a sea of bright colors, both yellow and orange, as the Dayton Dutch Lions were set to play a competitive friendly against the MLS Columbus Crew. Unsurprisingly, when the Crew starters took the field in the second half, it was a little too much quality for the Dayton Dutch Lions to contest. The Dutch Lions had their moments and opportunities late in the first half and moments of brillant link up play in the second, but when all was said and done on a sweltering day, the Lions would be downed by a 3-0 scoreline.

In the first half, the Dutch Lions were able to stick around against a Crew side that had a few players (such as Shaun Francis, Othaniel Yanez, Kwaku Nyamekye) who were making their debuts for the Crew on the day and who, as a trio, had less experience then nearly all of the Dutch Lion players. However, this Crew first half lineup was balanced out with a few starters (such as Steven Lenhart, Adam Moffat, and company) who found their first goal in the 14th minute. The goal came off of a Leandre Griffit cross that found the head of Steven Lenhart and a destination in the back of the Dutch Lions net.

The Dayton Dutch Lions took a while to play their way into the game, but near the end of the first half they found their feet; As the Dutch Lions had good opportunity, after good opportunity to get an equalizer but could not find their way past Crew keeper Andy Greuenebaum as the seconds ticked down on the first forty-five.

In the second half, the Crew brought out the majority of their starters to raucious applause by both Crew and Dutch Lion fans. The screams got a little bit louder as the press announcer worked his way through the switches of Chad Marshall, Robbie Rogers, Frankie Hejduk, and Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Also, along with the switches, the game majorly turned in the favor of the Columbus Crew as one got a look, up close, at the quality it takes to win MLS Cups and Supporters Shields. With this turn of momentum for the Crew, Columbus scored two goals in the second half (55th minute by Eddie Gaven and 84th minute by Jason Garey) to seal up the friendly result.

Columbus Crew Head Coach Robert Warzycha was happy at the minutes the Dutch Lions game gave to both his starters and reserves on his team:

“It’s good for all the guys to get some minutes. For the guys who play a lot, because of the break, it gives them some minutes they need. For the guys who haven’t played much it gives them a chance to show what they can do.”

The Dutch Lions have also reportedly given the Crew the offer to give their reserves (such as Yanez, Francis, Duka, Nyamekye) minutes with the Dutch Lions at home games in Dayton; As the Dutch Lions could use the defensive help and the Crew's bottom of the roster could use game minutes with a purpose. The response is yet unknown on whether the Crew will take the Dutch Lions up on any of the Dutch Lions loan offers.

For the Dutch Lion players, the game was a great experience. The Dutch Lions centerback, Kyle Segebart, is a Crew fan and he talked about playing against some of the players he has looked up to and watched before at Crew Stadium:

"We thought we would have Guillermo locked up and then he would just do a little outside of the heel and be around us. It was great to play against Guillermo, Frankie, Marshall, and all the Crew players for the experience as it makes you better, playing better players. Although, Marshall was complaining a little about my elbows in the box," said a smiling Segebart.

Head Coach Sonny Silooy agreed that the experience of playing against a strong MLS side was a good one, but it could have came with less mental errors:

"For them, it’s a great experience to play an MLS team. We knew we would have a difficult game. It was our fourth match in seven days. Against a big team in the U.S., you have to play with your head. All the goals came from mistakes.”

The Dutch Lions will look to learn from their mistakes and correct them before this Wednesday's game in Cincinnati against the Kings at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday is a big game as Cincinnati can be a tricky little team, as they have defeated the Chicago Fire and came back from 3-1 down to tie the Dutch Lions in their PDL opener at Miami Valley South Stadium.

Please take the one hour trip down I-75 to support your Lions!

6/20/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Crew Pictures

2010-06-20T14:50:00.001-07:00

Many high quality pictures from the Dayton Dutch Lions vs. Columbus Crew "Battle of Ohio" can be found on Crew fan website, The Massive Report. Pictures taken by Sam Fahmi and Jason Mowry:

For all pictures, GO TO THE MASSIVE REPORT HERE!

6/20/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Crew Video Footage

2010-06-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

Just some footage before the game, highlights of the game should be up early Monday:

6-19-2010: Guillermo Signs Autographs After Dutch Lions Game

2010-06-20T12:05:00.001-07:00

6-19-2010: Crew vs. Dutch Lions In Game

2010-06-20T11:07:00.001-07:00

6-19-2010: Crew vs. Dutch Lions Pregame Pics

2010-06-19T14:57:00.003-07:00

6-19-2010: Dutch Lions vs. Crew Pregame Pics

2010-06-19T14:57:00.001-07:00

6/19/2010: Highlights- Dayton Dutch Lions vs. Cleveland Internationals

2010-06-19T10:56:00.001-07:00

George Davis had the goal of the year so far to give the Dutch Lions a 2-2 tie on Thursday.

Highlights from Thursday's 2-2 against the Cleveland Internationals:

6/19/2010: Live Audio Webcast Link For Dutch Lions vs. Crew

2010-06-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Dayton Dutch Lions will be facing off against the Columbus Crew in the Battle of Ohio, and you can listen to it on a live stream!

You can listen to the game at Teamline:

6/18/2010: In The Press- Dayton Dutch Lions vs. Columbus Crew

2010-06-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

Columbus Crew have champion pedigree, Dayton Dutch Lions look to stake a similiar claim by the end of their inaugural season.

Interest Building For Dutch Lions-Columbus Crew Match

Co-owner Mike Mossel:
“The Crew have a lot of fans in Dayton, so it’s good for them and it’s good for us in terms of trying to get locals interested in soccer and the Dutch Lions,” DDL FC co-owner Mike Mossel said.

“Hopefully, we build this relationship for a long time.”

Crew's Technical Director Brian Bliss:
“It’s a working relationship with a club doing things a little differently,” said Bliss, suggesting there was a good exchange of information.

“The match is an opportunity to get our regular guys back in tune with the game after the World Cup break.”

Local Soccer Squad Eager To Slay The Crew

Sonny Silooy on the big game:
“We have nothing to lose,” DDL FC coach Sonny Silooy said of the upcoming exhibition match Saturday, June 19, with the Crew, who play three levels higher than the Lions. “The boys are excited, especially the younger ones. It will be a great test against such a quality side.”

Midfielder Andrew Giallombardo on the game:
“It’s a massive game,” said DDL midfielder Andrew Giallombardo. “It’s the Battle of Ohio. We want to have a good showing, and we want to put the Dayton Dutch Lions on the map.”

6/18/2010: Audio Webcast- Dutch Lions vs. Columbus Crew

2010-06-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Dayton Dutch Lions F.C. and Columbus Crew game this Saturday will be audio webcasted on a live stream. So, if your a Dayton Dutch Lions fan that can't make the game, are an interested party from the Netherlands, or are a Columbus Crew fan that can't make the hour trip.. Check the Orange Legionnaire blog or http://www.dutchlionsfc.com/ for a live webcast from the game.

Go Lions!

6/17/2010: Dutch Lions Tie Cleveland 2-2

2010-06-17T20:46:00.001-07:00

Despite having the boatload of the possession, the Dutch Lions allowed two soft counters on defensive relapses to allow the Internationals a share of the spoils.

The Dutch Lions went down early in the 6th minute, after nearly having the ball for the first five minutes of the game.

Around the 41st minute, an excellent run and cross by George Davis IV forced the Cleveland defender in an awkward defensive choice; The Cleveland defenseman made the wrong one and brought down Geert den Ouden who converted yet another penalty to make it 1-1.

Around the 70 minute, yet again the Internationals would work the counter to their advantage taking a surprise 2-1 lead.

The Dutch Lions looked on their way to a shock defeat. But, the Orange kept pressing until George Davis scored the goal of the season to put the Dutch Lions back on level terms at 2-2 in the 86th minute.

With belief behind their backs now the Dutch Lions would get a golden opportunity to strut away with all three points in stoppage time. As two minutes into stoppage time a perfect through ball had two recipents, Geert and George, but there was confusion on who wanted it. George took it and got a good shot off but it was stopped by a Cleveland defender.

The whistle blew soon after that, final score 2-2.

6/17/2010: Dutch Lions vs. Cleveland

2010-06-17T17:02:00.001-07:00

6/17/2010: Highlights- Dutch Lions vs. Rochester Rhinos From U.S. Open Cup

2010-06-17T11:36:00.001-07:00

Here are the highlights from the Dutch Lions 2-0 loss against the Rochester Rhinos in U.S. Open Cup action from Rochester, New York:

6/17/2010: Orange Legion-Nordecke Supporters Details For Saturday's "Battle Of Ohio"

2010-06-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

**Crew are contracted to play their starters for 60 minutes in Saturday's contest, and would probably look to give their starters a lot of time even if they were not; as it's been a while since the Crew's last game and they need to look to get game fit before their matchup on June 26th against D.C. United. Some Crew supporters are a little iffy about paying the $20 bucks, when most home games in the Nordecke are less than that. However, the Dutch Lions have a lot of players that have played in the Eresdivise and it should be a good match with an intimate atmosphere. Should also be interesting to see what the Crew do to prepare themselves for D.C. United as they try to right their season.

**The Orange Legion has a lot of banners in their section, likewise the Crew have a ton in theirs. I thought it would be cool to make one end just Nordecke and Orange Legion, just a party down there with both the banners we have here and the Nordecke's banners. Since there really is no rivalry there and nearly the whole section are fans of both clubs, could be a fun day out. We'll have a walk through of Baujan Field on Friday and I'll mark out an area for this, at the gate just say you're with The Orange Legion or Nordecke and someone should be able to direct you to this area. Or just look for the banners, every $20 dollar ticket is general admission.

**Also, there is a great bar with friendly staff at the Dublin Pub downtown (not far from the stadium) where World Cup can be watched, make a day out of it.

**I was texted a few weeks ago by Crew supporters and I gave them the number to call of a guy who had more authority than me to get a group rate done. I'm sure he could have worked out a cheaper group rate at that time, still possible if were not soldout before game time. I didn't know a group rate off hand at the time because frankly we never have away supporters in the PDL and most of our "groups" get in half priced. But, nothing was followed through with from Nordecke's supporters groups. If someone is still looking to work out a rate from the Crew supporters, email me at r.kozlowski@dutchlionsfc.com and how many Crew fans are looking to come from the Nordecke and maybe it will be possible to work something out before game time.

I can't make any promises though as it's four days before.

**Dutch Lions fans will have a banner making session Friday night at 6:30 p.m., as we'll make a few things for the Crew game on Saturday. It will be at the 4123 N. Linda Drive address, same as usual. I cannot do it earlier because I'm traveling from Dayton to Rochester to Niagara Falls to Cleveland back to Dayton with the club this week and won't be back until 2 a.m. Thursday night.

**Overall, I think it will be a fun day out, good intimate atmosphere as will likely try to pack 2,200 into Baujan which only seats 1,700. Hope to see many fans from both sides.

**If you have any questions email me at crewture@live.com or r.kozlowski@dutchlionsfc.com.

6/16/2010: Crew vs. Dutch Lions Positional Breakdowns

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More breakdowns of the "Battle of Ohio" will be upcoming tomorrow right here.

6/15/2010: Pre-Kickoff

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6/15/2010: Pre-Kickoff Pic 2

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6-15-2010: Dutch Lions Tour Rhinos Stadium

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6-15-2010: Dutch Lions Tour Rhinos Stadium

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6/15/2010: Preview & Video- U.S. Open Cup Debutants Dutch Lions Look To Derail Rhinos From Further Open Cup Accolades

2010-06-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

Silooy has a light moment with the Dutch Lion players before getting down to business in preparation for the Dutch Lions U.S. Open Cup debut against Rochester.

U.S. Open Cup Debutants Dutch Lions Look To Derail Rhinos From Further Open Cup Accolades
By Ryan Kozlowski

The Monday tune-up practice in preparation for Tuesday's showdown against the Rochester Rhinos went well for the Dutch Lions. The Dutch Lions final training session appeared to be very positive as the players were relaxed early on. Morale was up, despite the eight hour trip, and the Dutch Lions played the second half of practice at a higher level as intensity increased. Overall, many of the players were keen to get down to the business at hand. The Orange & Blue have one mindset, as the Dutch Lions look to upset a strong Rochester Rhinos side.

The man assigned to the task of giving the players the correct mindset knows all about pressure in big tournaments. Sonny Silooy has played at arguably the most pressure packed and fixating tournament stage worldwide, the UEFA Champions League.

The former Ajax player now has to take what he learned from that experience and give that to the Dutch Lions side. Coming into this game Silooy didn't want there to be overwhelming pressure on the Dutch Lions. As Silooy said "what do we have to lose," as the Dutch Lions are the underdogs in this one. One could compare the roles in this game to USA vs. England, as everyone expects the Rhinos to win in similiarity to how the English were favorites.

VIDEO: DUTCH LIONS PRACTICE SESSION IN ROCHESTER-

However, by no means is the pressure completely off the Lions, the management desires strong results in this tournament. But the pressure is less so for the Lions since no one will fault them if they fall against the Rochester Rhinos, who were semifinalists in this tournament the year prior.

The Rochester Rhinos will be a tough test as they're also currently in third place overall in Division II (USL-1/NASL) and have a storied history of success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Rochester Rhinos were the only non-MLS team to win the tournament since the MLS came to fruition in 1996.

Therefore, Silooy will look to employ some different tactics against the Rochester Rhinos:
"It may not be as high pressure as if we were playing in the PDL, where we would play a high line up at midfield. We will still press and take our chances, but maybe that line goes back 10 to 20 yards. It's still attacking but much more methodical."

Silooy has an idea of the Rhinos level and knows they'll be a good side, but won't know just how good until he plays them, so I would expect a close to the chest game early on from the Dutch Lions as they try to feel out the Rochester Rhinos.

The game takes place at 7:05 at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester, New York. Check back here and on all the Dutch Lions platforms for more news, videos, pictures, and etc.

6/14/2010: Quick Video Of Practice

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A quick video of practice from the Dayton Dutch Lions in Rochester as they prepare for their U.S. Open Cup matchup against the Rochester Rhinos:

6-14-2010: Practice Pictures

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6-14-2010: Practice Photos in Rochester

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6-14-2010: Practice Photos in Rochester

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6-14-2010: Dutch Lions Arrive in Rochester

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The Dutch Lions arrived at their hotel and headed to training at 630. Check back tomorrow morning for footage from training.